When Zhou Hongyi sold his Maybach, he began to announce that he would support domestic new energy vehicles in the future and speak up for them.

Later developments have shown that Zhou Hongyi did not break his promise.

Whether it is promoting Nezha Automobile, which he invested in, endorsing domestic new energy vehicles at the Beijing Auto Show, or later "joyfully acquiring" various new energy vehicles such as Zeekr and XPeng, all of these are direct manifestations of this phenomenon.

On the one hand, through Zhou Hongyi's continuous collaboration with various automotive brands, we can see that China's automotive manufacturing market is indeed highly competitive;

On the other hand, we can also see that China's automotive manufacturing market indeed needs more people like Zhou Hongyi to stand up and speak up for them.

If we turn back the clock to the moment when Zhou Hongyi sold his Maybach, perhaps not many people would have agreed with his decision.

In their view, the so-called sale of Zhou Hongyi's beloved car was merely a commercial stunt, a mere attempt to build his own IP.

While there is some truth to this argument, it would be too simplistic and arbitrary to underestimate Zhou Hongyi's commitment to supporting China's new energy vehicle development and his approach to building his IP solely based on this.

I

Time is the best proof.

When Zhou Hongyi's name is repeatedly associated with China's new energy vehicles, we have to admit that he has kept his promise and is indeed contributing to the development of China's new energy vehicles.

We all know that China's new energy vehicle manufacturing sector has always been known for its intense competition.

Whether it is reflected in the influx of thousands of players into the automotive manufacturing race in the early days, the subsequent capital competition, or the competition in design, range, and user experience, all are direct manifestations of this intense competition.

The intense competition in China's new energy vehicle manufacturing sector shows both the popularity and the brutality of the automotive manufacturing race.

It is not an exaggeration to say that all players who can stand out in China's automotive manufacturing sector are seasoned veterans.

Since the competition in China's automotive manufacturing sector is so fierce, it is even more important to have people like Zhou Hongyi to further support it.

Whether it is Zhou Hongyi's endorsement of new energy vehicles or his continuous "joyful acquisitions" of them, both are manifestations of this phenomenon.

As such phenomena occur more frequently, Zhou Hongyi is no longer seen as a speculator who builds his personal IP by endorsing domestic new energy vehicles, but rather as a genuine advocate for them.

Indeed, China's new energy vehicle market needs figures like Zhou Hongyi.

The reason is that when the first-mover advantage in the automotive manufacturing sector is no longer significant, especially when the competitive gap between players gradually narrows, what truly tests players is no longer their ability to seize the first-mover advantage, but rather their ability to build brand loyalty.

For internet celebrities like Zhou Hongyi who are also entrepreneurs, on the one hand, they possess the professionalism and authority of an entrepreneur; on the other hand, they have a massive fan base.

Essentially, Zhou Hongyi is a combination of traffic and professionalism.

Collaborating with Zhou Hongyi undoubtedly helps automotive manufacturers further build their brands and achieve further development amid the increasingly crowded automotive manufacturing sector.

In a sense, Zhou Hongyi's significance to China's new energy vehicle manufacturers is similar to that of Lei Jun to Xiaomi Motors.

For any players who want to make a difference in the automotive manufacturing sector, which has entered a phase of reshuffling, continuously establishing connections with IPs like Zhou Hongyi to build and enhance their brands is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

II

We all know that the automotive manufacturing market has entered a new stage of development. More precisely, automotive manufacturing is no longer merely about transforming the energy drive mode of vehicles but about fundamentally and inherently transforming the automotive manufacturing process itself.

The growing trend of autonomous driving is a direct manifestation of this development status. It can be said that players who will make a difference in the automotive manufacturing sector in the future are those who can bring disruptive changes to automotive manufacturing itself.

If players who currently have a foothold in the automotive manufacturing sector are those who have successfully applied the internet model to automotive manufacturing, then players who will continue to make a difference in the future are those who can apply AI to the automotive manufacturing sector.

Zhou Hongyi also has his own views on AI. If we were to summarize and define his views on AI, he believes that AI is not the patent of a few players but rather something that benefits a wider range of people and industries.

As Zhou Hongyi continuously articulates his views on AI, especially when the automotive manufacturing sector is increasingly embracing AI, the bridge between Zhou Hongyi and automotive manufacturers takes on a whole new meaning.

If we view the combination of Zhou Hongyi's personal IP and domestic new energy players as his advocacy for domestic new energy vehicles, then his unique insights into AI point the way for the future development of China's new energy vehicles.

As Zhou Hongyi and China's new energy vehicle manufacturers continue to collide ideas around AI, we have reason to believe that they will spark even more in the future.

At this point, Zhou Hongyi is no longer just an advocate for current new energy vehicle manufacturers but becomes a partner who walks side by side with China's new energy vehicle industry.

From this perspective, looking back at Zhou Hongyi's past statements, we can see that he has kept his promise.

Conclusion

As Zhou Hongyi's name becomes increasingly associated with China's new energy vehicle brands, especially when he begins to empower players who have already entered the red ocean of new energy vehicle manufacturing, we may gradually realize that Zhou Hongyi has kept his promise.

In a sense, Zhou Hongyi's empowerment of domestic new energy players is not only reflected in his advocacy for them but also in his thoughts on their future development.

From this perspective, looking back at Zhou Hongyi selling his Maybach and sitting on the roof of a car is no longer seen as a stunt but more like a declaration.