Introduction

The intensity of competition in the automotive sector has reached its zenith; all major players must bring their A-game.

"The competition is fierce, truly suffocating."

This is no overstatement. The opening sentiment of this article stems from the heartfelt observations after perusing the latest issue of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car application list on Friday evening.

As we all know, the competition in China's automotive market in 2024 surpassed all expectations. However, what no one anticipated was that just days into 2025, various automakers would unveil their sharpest strategies so swiftly.

Take Tesla's refreshed Model Y, for instance.

Although the final design of this American new energy automaker's flagship model appears casual, even "sloppy," it hasn't hindered its relentless push into the Chinese market.

On that Friday, it suddenly went on sale in China. Rationally and objectively speaking, the starting price of the rear-wheel-drive version is 263,500 yuan, and the starting price of the long-range all-wheel-drive version is 303,500 yuan, which isn't a significant surprise or show of sincerity.

In terms of products, it's more about tweaking the exterior and interior. For the electric systems, both the rear-wheel-drive and long-range all-wheel-drive versions have slightly increased power battery sizes, with CLTC combined driving ranges reaching 593 kilometers and 719 kilometers, respectively.

Nevertheless, based on current information, Tesla's refreshed Model Y is warmly received by end consumers, with orders piling up.

In contrast, Xpeng, which successfully rebounded in 2024, introduced another pure electric SUV designed to boost sales in this issue of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car list – the Xpeng G7.

Positioned between Xpeng's own G6 and G9, its overall design style and parameter configuration are strikingly similar to the popular B-class pure electric sedan, the Xpeng P7+.

The relationship between the two is akin to Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y. The Xpeng G7, upon its entry, will directly compete with the aforementioned refreshed Model Y.

Personally, I anticipate its main sales version to be priced between 200,000 yuan and 250,000 yuan.

Similarly, another automotive newcomer, Zeekr, has brought the shooting brake version of the B-class pure electric sedan Zeekr 007, officially named – Zeekr 007GT.

Judging from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's application information, its "looks are justice" exterior will be its primary customer acquisition point. In terms of other parameters, it's almost identical to the Zeekr 007. However, thanks to being a station wagon, the Zeekr 007GT can optionally be equipped with air suspension.

Regarding pricing, if it follows NIO's ET5 and ET5T example and offers a "same price, your choice" strategy, it's bound to make significant waves in its segment market.

But the subsequent cost clearly hinges on whether its "sibling," the Zeekr 001, will be affected. Expanding the perspective, the dilemma of internal competition always arises, which is a persistent issue and pain point that Zeekr, as a new automaker, urgently needs to address.

Otherwise, it will continue to fall into the vortex of inefficient internal friction from "pushing new products."

Conversely, let's examine NIO's third brand, Firefly, and its first homonymous boutique pure electric vehicle – Firefly.

This time, it also appeared on the latest batch of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car list. I'm not sure why, perhaps because I'm accustomed to the "six-eyed flying fish" headlight design, or the final look's shooting angle is very clever, but I've begun to slowly accept its alternative and individualistic aesthetic.

Simultaneously, what's more noteworthy is that the motor power declared by Firefly this time is only 105kW.

Upon this parameter's announcement, it sparked heated discussions on various social platforms. The general concern of the outside world is whether its pre-sale price of 148,800 yuan will result in insufficient power? After all, both the BMW MINI electric version and the Smart #1 are generally much higher.

For a moment, I couldn't fathom what Firefly had up its sleeve. Could it be that this boutique pure electric vehicle actually aims to compete with BYD Dolphin and Wuling Bingguo? Will there be a significant price surprise after adopting the BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) scheme?

All expectations will be revealed on the launch day.

In the following sections, I'll discuss the three players I believe are the most crucial and cannot afford to fail in this issue of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car list.

First, there's Wenjie M8.

It must be acknowledged that throughout 2024, relying on Huawei's aura, Hongmeng Intelligent Drive smoothly entered a positive cycle and firmly established itself in China's automotive market.

Therefore, if we were to award "medals of honor" based on contributions, the top spots would undoubtedly go to Wenjie M9 and Wenjie M7. The offensive formed by the two stirred up significant waves in the entire new energy SUV market.

But I believe astute readers can immediately see that there's a significant "price vacuum zone" between Wenjie M9 and Wenjie M7. More bluntly, there's still a lack of a member to fill this segment.

Fortunately, the wait wasn't too long, and Wenjie M8 finally arrived after much anticipation.

Judging from the final look, compared to the overly sedate Wenjie M9 and the overly plain Wenjie M7, it actually appears quite appealing. Its family design language has finally matured.

Without exaggeration, when discussing with many friends who was the most impressive in this issue of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car list, I didn't expect Wenjie M8 to receive several votes.

And considering its overall vehicle dimensions, it's almost on par with its "elder brother," Wenjie M9. Continuing the horizontal and vertical comparison, it's precisely positioned between its rivals, Li Auto's L9 and L8.

It's undeniable that this move is particularly ingenious. To some extent, one can already envision the pricing range of Wenjie M8's main sales version.

Of course, how Wenjie M8 performs in 2025 will also determine whether the entire Hongmeng Intelligent Drive can move towards higher sales targets.

It's precisely based on this background that its "blockbuster" characteristics must be ensured.

On the other hand, there's another "giant" – BYD.

Throughout 2024, with an astonishing performance of over 4.27 million cumulative sales, it left an indelible mark in the history of China's automotive industry.

Below 200,000 yuan, with the rotation of numerous products from the Dynasty and Ocean networks, it staged a saturation attack that left other competitors feeling suffocated.

However, BYD in 2024 wasn't without regrets. Above 200,000 yuan, there's still much room for improvement, and it doesn't have absolute discourse power.

And I still hold the view that: "Taking 200,000 yuan as a watershed, if the output ratio can be maintained at around 4:1, it may be a more ideal and healthy situation, maintaining a competitive advantage in the mainstream market while comfortably sharing the pie in the mid-to-high-end market."

BYD understands this principle.

In this new issue of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car list, the heavily anticipated new products Tang L and Han L from the Dynasty network made their debut together. Besides their stunning and premium exteriors, the ultra-high-power motors used in their pure electric versions have also garnered widespread attention from the outside world.

Especially when the single motor power of "580kW" was announced, it fully showcased the terrifying depth of BYD's "technology pond." Perhaps some doubters may wonder, is it really necessary to equip two family cars with such powerful motors?

In response, I would refute that: "If you understand the significance of Han and Tang to BYD as a whole, you wouldn't ask such a question." The latest products are undoubtedly equipped with the latest research and development results.

Moreover, once Han L and Tang L can use their strong technological labels to once again captivate the minds and perceptions of potential customers, BYD will have achieved the desired effect.

As I conclude this article, I'd like to summarize by saying: "In addition to the seven products mentioned above, there are actually many other products in the latest issue of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's new car list that are worth studying and analyzing. Due to space limitations, I won't go into details one by one."

But this doesn't diminish the sentiment once again: "With such intense competition, no one will have an easy time in 2025." In China's automotive market, there are no niche blue oceans; under a sea of red, only a few can emerge victorious...