Introduction

'The true competitive edge for an automaker isn't built by simply piling on hardware.' This insightful remark comes from Lu Fang, Chairman of VOYAH Automobile.

In late September, following the global unveiling of the VOYAH Dreamer 9, Lu Fang and Shao Mingfeng, General Manager of the Sales Company, engaged in interviews with several media outlets, including the China Securities Journal.

The discussions spanned a wide range of topics: from the operational risks of over-reliance on MPVs, to the nuanced collaborative boundaries with Huawei under a 'harmonious yet distinct' partnership model, and the timeline for right-hand drive vehicles' entry into the Hong Kong market in Q4.

This interview was brimming with insights, but the most compelling was Lu Fang's stance on 'safety reserves': the development of vehicle safety redundancies cannot be delayed pending policy clarity.

Self-Driving Car Insights (WeChat ID: Self-Driving Car Insights) delves into this topic with our readers!

(For more in-depth analysis, please refer to: 'Global Debut of 12 Cutting-Edge Technologies! The World's First L3 Autonomous Driving MPV, Why Was It Overtaken by Domestic VOYAH Zhufeng?')

I. Proactively Building 'Safety Redundancy' Amidst Policy Uncertainty

Domestic L3-level autonomous driving is currently in a pilot phase. In December 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued pilot licenses for the first two L3-level models. Conventionally, automakers might choose to wait for more definitive policy guidelines before making significant investments.

VOYAH, however, chose a different path.

As early as April 2025, VOYAH introduced the world's first L3-level intelligent architecture, the 'Tianyuan Intelligent Framework.' This architecture seamlessly integrates the Qingyun L3 Intelligent Safe Driving Platform and the Kunpeng L3 Intelligent Safe Driving System, enabling high-level autonomous driving capabilities from the ground up.

By April 2026, VOYAH had accumulated 200,000 kilometers of real-world road testing, with its L3-level intelligent architecture achieving mass production ahead of schedule.

The upcoming VOYAH Taishan Ultra will feature an L3-level conditionally autonomous driving vehicle architecture, complete with multiple redundancies in braking, steering, communication, and power systems, fully meeting L3 deployment requirements.

Lu Fang emphasized, 'Although domestic L3 autonomous driving is still in a pilot phase, the development of vehicle safety redundancies cannot afford to wait for policy windows. Enterprises must proactively make technical reserves for extreme conditions, ensuring safety baselines stay ahead of policy implementation.'

In simpler terms: while the timing of policy relaxations is uncertain, the integration of braking, steering, communication, and power redundancies in vehicles cannot be postponed.

The VOYAH Taishan Ultra is built on an L3-level conditionally autonomous driving intelligent architecture, incorporating extensive redundant designs to ensure robust L3 capabilities.

This approach is not about 'jumping the gun' but about 'preparing the runway.'

When the policy starting gun fires, others will still be laying the road—VOYAH will already be at the starting line.

II. MPV Dominance: Strengths and Risks

VOYAH's current primary growth driver is the Dreamer series.

From January to August 2026, cumulative retail sales of the VOYAH Dreamer series reached 43,330 units, maintaining a leading position despite a shrinking MPV market.

In April alone, sales soared to 7,017 units, topping all MPV categories (regardless of powertrain). To date, the Dreamer series has garnered recognition from over 200,000 high-net-worth users.

However, the Dreamer series accounts for over 40% of VOYAH's total sales, easily reinforcing the perception that 'VOYAH equals MPVs.'

Shao Mingfeng acknowledged in the interview that the company is actively diversifying its product portfolio, driving growth in SUVs and sedans to create a second growth engine.

In September 2026, VOYAH delivered 13,025 new vehicles; year-to-date deliveries reached 115,481 units, up 19% year-on-year.

While this growth is commendable among high-end new energy brands under state-owned enterprises, truly mitigating 'single-legged' risks requires SUVs and sedans to establish themselves as strong performers.

III. 'Harmonious yet Distinct' Collaboration with Huawei: Preserving Automotive Autonomy

VOYAH's collaboration with Huawei was another focal point of the interview.

Shao Mingfeng succinctly summarized VOYAH's stance in eight words: strong collaboration, harmonious yet distinct.

Lu Fang had previously clarified that Dongfeng represents vehicle hardware prowess, while Huawei represents intelligent software capabilities, with VOYAH embodying their synergy.

However, the emphasis lies in the latter half of the phrase.

Unlike AITO, VOYAH's collaboration model with Huawei is distinct: VOYAH procures Huawei's Qiankun Intelligent Driving and HarmonyOS Cockpit technologies but retains full control over chassis, powertrain, marketing, and after-sales services.

Lu Fang stressed, 'VOYAH is VOYAH, Huawei is Huawei—we each maintain relative independence. I believe this is crucial for rapid growth and sustainable development for both sides.'

This logic shares similarities with GAC's 'Jing Mode' with Huawei: automakers preserve brand sovereignty and manufacturing foundations, while tech companies provide intelligent capabilities without overstepping.

The VOYAH Dreamer 9 is equipped with Huawei's Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 5, four LiDAR sensors, and an L3 autonomous driving architecture, while its triple-chamber independent air suspension and dual-valve EDC dampers are part of VOYAH's proprietary chassis system.

IV. Right-Hand Drive Vehicles Debuting in Hong Kong in Q4: VOYAH's Globalization Timeline

VOYAH's global expansion strategy commences in Hong Kong.

Lu Fang confirmed in the interview that Hong Kong will serve as a pivotal right-hand drive market, with road testing completed and sales/service infrastructure in place, targeting a Q4 launch.

Sources indicate that the Dreamer 9 right-hand drive version will officially launch in Hong Kong in Q4 2026, with overseas markets to follow from November.

VOYAH Automobile now operates in 40 countries and regions, with over 240 overseas sales outlets.

The rationale for selecting Hong Kong as the 'first stop' for right-hand drive markets is clear:

Hong Kong uses right-hand driving, aligns with international regulatory standards, and while its market size is modest, it holds strong symbolic value:

Success in Hong Kong equates to a 'qualification badge' for entering right-hand drive markets in Southeast Asia, the UK, Australia, and beyond.

Lu Fang's medium-to-long-term goal is explicit: to establish a globally recognized Chinese high-end new energy brand by the end of the '15th Five-Year Plan' period.

V. Beyond Price Wars: The Path to Value-Based Competition

During the interview, Lu Fang directly addressed the industry's price wars.

'We should shift from 'price wars' to value competition, ensuring products and services deliver better user experiences,' Lu Fang argued. In a mature competition phase, pure price wars cannot sustain industrial health.

China's new energy sector should pivot to value-based competition, encouraging technological innovation, strengthening IP protection, and creating growth across product, service, and business model dimensions to transition from follower to leader.

In 2025, VOYAH achieved a net profit of RMB 1.02 billion, maintaining steady profitability amid industry price wars.

Against a backdrop where 'price wars have drained many automakers,' this figure alone underscores the hard evidence for 'value competition.'

Summary

Self-Driving Car Insights (WeChat ID: Self-Driving Car Insights) believes:

From 200,000 kilometers of real-world L3 autonomous driving testing, to right-hand drive launches in Hong Kong in Q4, and defining collaborative boundaries with Huawei—VOYAH's path is clear:

Not betting on policy windows, not relying on single product categories, not depending on others' technological solutions.

What do you think, dear readers?

References

Reports from International Finance News, Beiguo Finance, Xinzi Auto Talks, Voice of Automakers, and other media outlets.