【Introduction: Medium-sized SUVs have always been a must for domestic mainstream car companies.】 With the continuous upgrading of domestic automobile consumption, medium-sized SUVs can take into account the different needs of domestic consumers for a model to the greatest extent with their larger size, more comprehensive configuration and off-road ability. As the competition in the mid-size SUV market becomes increasingly fierce, SAIC-GM has begun to strategically layout and adjust this market segment, and the 2022 new explorers have also begun to come to the forefront. 】
Written by| Zhang Chi, editor| Hezi
The debut of the 2022 Chevrolet Explorer was originally only a regular mid-term redesign of the model, and was not given too much strategic significance. Although the further improvement of its powertrain, Internet of Vehicles, driver assistance functions, etc., have effectively enhanced the product strength of the new explorers and the competitiveness of the market segment. But what really makes the 2022 Chevrolet Explorer begin to show charm is that after The Encore is fully replaced by the higher positioning of the Oncovey PLUS, as the Encore with millions of sales began to delist gorgeously, the 2022 new Explorer began to move to a more central position on the stage and assumed a greater mission and responsibility.
Taking over the baton of Encore, the new explorers ushered in a period of development opportunities
The accurate grasp of the market has always been a major weapon for SAIC-GM to gain a foothold in the domestic automotive market. Previously, SAIC-GM laid out two models in the medium-sized SUV market, buick Encore and Chevrolet Explorer, hoping to obtain higher sales by increasing the launch of models when the domestic SUV market broke out.
As sales in the domestic SUV market began to stabilize, SAIC-GM began to seek a new development strategy in this market segment, the most critical step of which was the gorgeous turnaround of Buick Encore. By creating two higher-positioned models, Oncovi PLUS and OncoveY S, the Buick brand helps the Buick brand to achieve brand upwards with higher configuration and more personalized design while meeting the growing needs of users.
At the same time, the newly listed 2022 new Explorer will also gain more room for development. On the one hand, the new Explorer will take on the responsibility of making up for the market gap vacated after the delisting of Oncovi and keep the heavy responsibility of the mid-sizeD SUV market; on the other hand, the new Explorer who has undergone a medium-term restructuring also hopes to maximize the sound volume and sales volume of SAIC-GM in the mid-size SUV market through stronger product strength, jointly with Oncovie PLUS and OncoveY S.
Intelligent technology + high cost performance, with strength to stand in the mid-sizeD SUV market
The 2022 new explorer, which ushered in the mid-term redesign, has made rapid progress in product strength compared with the previous one, mainly reflected in the comprehensive upgrade of powertrain, driving assistance and intelligent networking, which enables consumers of new explorers to enjoy various conveniences brought by technological progress in the era of new four modernizations of automobiles.
In terms of powertrain, the new Explorer will be equipped with GM's class-leading variable cylinder 2.0T+9AT+ four-wheel drive efficient performance combination, and deploy a 48V light hybrid system. The system has a maximum power of 174 kW and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. From the data point of view, not only is the power strong, but the 9AT also makes the shift smoother. In particular, it is worth mentioning that the 48V light mixing system can improve driving quality and fuel economy in six working states such as agile start, electric assist, intelligent charging, brake energy recovery, electric idle and intelligent shutdown, among which the fuel consumption of the 2022 new Explorer 550T RS series models equipped with 2.0T+9AT can be as low as 7.01L through the intervention of the drive and the recovery of braking energy.
In terms of driver assistance, the new explorer deploys a class-leading intelligent safety system to achieve L2 level autonomous driving. Specifically, it includes ACC adaptive cruise system, LKA lane departure assistance, FDI forward car distance prompt, LDW lane departure assistance, SBZA side blind spot alarm, AEB collision mitigation braking function, etc., which can help drivers and occupants and vehicles from both longitudinal and lateral directions, effectively avoid potential traffic accidents, and maximize travel safety.
In the field of intelligent networking, whether it is the new generation of MyLink+ intelligent in-vehicle interconnection system or the standard OnStar system of the whole series, it can bring more comprehensive navigation, entertainment and other daily life-related services to consumers who purchase new explorers, realizing the seamless connection between family life and car life. Specifically, the 2022 new Explorer display has been upgraded from 8 inches to a 10-inch high-definition large screen, and the new generation of MyLink+ intelligent vehicle interconnection system can support Apple CarPLay and Baidu CarLife and Bluetooth and other connection methods at the same time; and the intelligent voice system of iFLYTEK, which has a higher load recognition rate and faster induction, also makes the customer's voice control function smoother. In addition, the new Explorer of the 2022 model also added functions such as wireless charging of mobile phones and streaming media rearview mirrors, which greatly improved the convenience of using the whole vehicle. As for the annual 100G free Onstar traffic, it also allows users to upgrade the car and machine system with peace of mind, without any traffic troubles.
Based on the same platform, the two models are at the same level, both in terms of interior space and basic configuration. Compared with Encore, the Explorer also has a very obvious advantage in that its entry price is low: the official guidance price of the 2022 Explorer is 169,900-239,900 yuan. For a mid-size SUV, the price/performance ratio of the new Explorer is undoubtedly very high.
Share the platform to create a new benchmark in the mid-size SUV market
Overall, the new explorers with the same platform as Oncovi can be completely level in terms of product strength and on-campus Oncove. It's just that Oncovi hangs the Buick brand, while the Explorer uses the Chevrolet brand. The same platform means that the hard points of the two models are the same, so both models can remain the same, whether in terms of interior space and suspension tuning determined by the chassis architecture, or in terms of electrical architecture. Therefore, whether in the intelligent network or in the driving assistance, the explorer is on the same level as Oncovey. In particular, after ushering in the mid-term redesign, the Explorer can achieve seamless docking of existing Oncovey models in terms of product strength, and help SAIC-GM to guard the market segment of medium-sized SUVs with a new benchmark in the mid-size SUV market.
From the perspective of SAIC-GM's strategy, replacing Oncovi with a new explorer can effectively avoid the previous situation of mutual restraint between Oncovi and Explorator, solve the problem of product homogenization, and completely separate the target customer groups and market segments of new Explorers and Oncovi PLUS and OncoveY S, thereby maximizing their own characteristics. For saic and GM itself and Buick Chevrolet brands, it is a good thing from a strategic level.
Comments
In the face of the epidemic and the impact of lack of cores, SAIC-GM's performance in 2021 is still stable. Behind the steady performance is SAIC-GM's deep understanding of the market and the accurate interpretation of consumer needs. Through the readjustment and layout of the Encore series and the new explorers, SAIC-GM will usher in a new round of development opportunities in the mid-size SUV market. The new explorer with strong comprehensive product strength and high cost performance will work with oncover PLUS and Oncovey S, which focus on performance and personalized needs, to achieve a win-win situation of 1+1+1>3.
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