The first time to install the Toyota THSII system: Can GAC Trumpchi's second-generation GS8 be the next sales fulcrum?

21st Century Business Herald reporter Song Doudou Guangzhou reported that on December 12, GAC Trumpchi's new second-generation GS8 was launched, launching a total of six models in two power forms, fuel version and hybrid version, and the official guidance price was 186,800 yuan - 246,800 yuan. As a model that once "broke through the ceiling of 200,000 yuan for its own brand" in one fell swoop, GAC Trumpchi GS8 ushered in a replacement after five years, in the face of the changes in the medium and large SUV market, can the second-generation GS8 regain its former glory?

The second-generation GS8 is based on GAC's global platform modular architecture GPMA-L platform, and offers two choices: the Pilot Series and the Dual Engine Series. Among them, the Pilot Series is equipped with Julang Power 2.0T GDI engine + Aisin's third-generation 8AT powertrain, with a maximum torque of 400N·m; the Twin Engine Series is equipped with 2.0TM engine + fourth-generation enhanced version of the THS II. Toyota Hybrid System, which is the first Chinese brand model equipped with Toyota THS hybrid technology, and the first model in the world to adopt a 2.0T engine with Toyota THS hybrid technology. In terms of intelligence, the new car is equipped with AR-HUD, ADiGO 4.0 intelligent IoT, ADiGO 4.0 intelligent assisted driving and other scientific and technological configurations.

As the first model of GAC Trumpchi's "intelligent + hybrid" strategy, official data shows that since the pre-sale opened on October 1, the cumulative orders of the second-generation GS8 have exceeded 5,000, of which the proportion of hybrid models is higher. During the Guangzhou Auto Show, Zhang Yuesai, general manager of GAC Passenger Vehicle, said in an interview with the 21st Century Business Herald reporter that hybridization is also part of the "double carbon", and the next step of GAC Trumpchi's hybrid platform comes from Toyota THS technology on the one hand, and GMC technology developed by GAC on the other hand. He also admitted, "In terms of plug-in hybrids, Trumpchi has been doing it, but for some reasons, the market recognition is not high." Now the market recognition has been high, as long as there is product competitiveness, Trumpchi must have prerequisites compared to other domestic brands in terms of hybridity. ”

According to the strategic plan, GAC Trumpchi plans to achieve hybridization of all models in 2025, and the proportion of hybrid sales will exceed 60% in 2030, challenging to achieve carbon neutrality in 2040, and will build Trumpchi's differentiated advantages with hybrid technology, reducing fossil energy consumption and reducing carbon dioxide emissions through hybridization + intelligent products.

In fact, gagaku group's independent brand dream has taken root as early as the moment of completion of the joint-stock system reform, in 2008 GAC passenger car company was established, in September 2010 GAC's first independent automobile brand "Trumpchi" officially rolled off the production line, GAC Group's "13th Five-Year Plan" proposed "1513" strategy, the second "1" is "1 key" - the whole group to develop its own brand, to achieve the leapfrog development of its own brand business.

GAC Trumpchi, which had high hopes, once developed rapidly, with sales of 372,000 units in 2016, an increase of 90.66% year-on-year; in 2017, it ushered in a bright moment, with annual sales of more than 500,000 vehicles, and the growth rate fell back, an increase of 37% year-on-year; in 2018, it increased by 5.23% to 535,000 units. However, since the beginning of 2019, gac Trumpchi's sales have continued to decline, and some analysts say that it is caused by untimely product changes and insufficient competitiveness. In 2019, GAC Trumpchi's annual sales volume was 384,000 units, down nearly 30% year-on-year, and continued to decline to 354,000 units in 2020.

Entering 2021, when GAC Aegon's monthly sales have repeatedly reached new highs to become a leader in new energy vehicles, the mission and pressure of GAC Trumpchi have begun to be infinitely magnified, and it is difficult to ensure that sales will increase exponentially by only relying on the impact of MPV on the high-end market and Chinese brands that are willing to enter the head camp. Ga4, GA6 and GA8 sales in the car market are not impressive, but the sales of Shadow Leopard, which was listed in August this year, exceeded 10,000 in October and November, and Trumpchi's car once again had a name.

From January to November this year, GAC Trumpchi sold 292,000 vehicles, an increase of 11.3% year-on-year, but to restore the glory of 500,000 vehicles sold annually in the past, GAC Trumpchi has a long way to go. At the same time, GAC Trumpchi continues to break through to high-end, and the data shows that in June this year, the average bicycle price of GAC Trumpchi reached 135,000 yuan, rising to 149,900 yuan in September, and more than 150,000 yuan in October.

Focusing on the second generation of GS8 released this time, how to break the sales quagmire of the current GS8 has become a top priority. Trumpchi GS8 sales reached 10,498 vehicles in December 2017, the annual sales of more than 100,000 vehicles after the decline, in 2018 Trumpchi GS8 annual sales suffered only about 60,000 units, 2019 and 2020 annual sales remained at the level of about 30,000 vehicles. The reasons are that the first wave of dividends in China's auto market is nearing the end, the return to rationality after a brief outbreak of the big seven-seat SUV market, the frequent occurrence of quality problems and the slowdown in the rhythm of product upgrading, and the competitive advantage of trumpchi GS8 that is controlled within 200,000 yuan compared with other independent brands, etc., have not been able to continue the growth momentum of Trumpchi GS8.

In the face of many competitors entering the medium and large SUV market with a small market capacity, the competition is becoming more and more fierce, and the second-generation GS8, a new work after five years, can become the next sales fulcrum and realize the long-cherished wish of GAC Trumpchi? Time and the market will give the answer.