Recently, the VOYAH Spring Technical Communication Conference was held in Beijing, and a series of forward-looking technologies and strategic plans were released, indicating that VOYAH will set off a new round of technological storm in the field of new energy MPV, especially in the context of in-depth cooperation with Huawei, the upcoming first new energy MPV model equipped with Huawei's intelligent driving, 800V, 5C supercharging, AI large model and other technologies will all appear, which will soon become a milestone on the road to intelligence.
In the wave of change in the automobile industry entering the new energy era, Buick GL8, the "evergreen" of the traditional MPV market, is actively responding to the challenge and launching the GL8 Luzun PHEV model, symbolizing its firm progress towards electrification. However, the competitive landscape of the market has not been stagnant due to the transformation of GL8, especially the independent new energy brands represented by VOYAH, which are rewriting the market map with unprecedented innovation and technological strength.
The birth of the GL8 Luzun PHEV is undoubtedly a strategic move of the GL8 family to cope with market changes. Equipped with a new generation of plug-in hybrid batteries with the same standard, the new car shows good strength in terms of endurance and performance. The CLTC pure electric range is 138 kilometers, and the comprehensive range is 1,370 kilometers, coupled with the help of the 1.5T hybrid engine, the comprehensive power reaches 292 kilowatts, and the peak torque is 580 Nm. These figures undoubtedly reflect SAIC-GM's deep foundation and positive market stance in the field of electrification.
However, the emergence of the GL8 Luzun PHEV has more far-reaching significance in that it opens the way for autonomous plug-in hybrid MPVs. In the face of this untapped blue ocean, independent brands have long been ready to go. Take the 2024 new VOYAH Dreamer as an example, which debuted six months before the launch of the GL8 Luzun PHEV, and has undergone two iterations, and has a deep technical background. In contrast, although the GL8 Luzun PHEV is a "latecomer", with its strong brand endorsement and market influence, it has virtually set a reference and challenge goal for the autonomous plug-in hybrid MPV.
The new VOYAH Dreamer PHEV demonstrates the strength of its own brand in terms of range and performance. The CLTC pure electric range is up to 236 kilometers, far exceeding the GL8 Luzun PHEV and enough to meet the travel needs in multiple scenarios. Its new hybrid system brings a combined power of 420 kW and a combined torque of 840 Nm, providing a more powerful power output and driving experience whether it is a daily commute or a family trip. In addition, the new VOYAH Dreamer PHEV reflects an in-depth understanding and accurate response to consumer needs in terms of space layout, safety performance, and pricing strategy, further enhancing its market competitiveness.
Although the GL8 Luzun PHEV has raised some doubts in product design, such as the styling design is too similar to the fuel version, which makes it difficult to eliminate the suspicion of "oil to electricity", and the interior space layout is greatly affected by the battery pack, these problems provide an improvement direction for the autonomous plug-in hybrid MPV. The new VOYAH Dreamer PHEV is built on the ESSA architecture, VOYAH's exclusive new energy vehicle manufacturing platform, and fully considers the layout of the battery pack from the beginning of the design to ensure the efficient use and safety of the interior space. At the same time, it has obtained C-NCAP five-star certification, and the high-strength body has built a solid safety barrier for users.
In terms of pricing, although the GL8 Luzun PHEV and the new VOYAH Dreamer PHEV have similar guide price ranges, the latter undoubtedly provides consumers with a more attractive choice due to its higher cost performance and user reputation. This phenomenon reveals that in the competition of plug-in hybrid technology, independent brands are gradually surpassing joint venture brands by relying on solid technology accumulation and keen capture of market demand.
To sum up, the entry of the GL8 Luzun PHEV into the market is not only an important attempt by SAIC-GM in the field of new energy MPV, but also a shot in the arm for the development of autonomous plug-in hybrid MPV. Although GL8's own market performance and user evaluation remain to be seen, its role as a "senior boss" in the industry has undoubtedly given the autonomous plug-in hybrid MPV more strength and confidence to move forward. In the new energy era, the independent MPVs represented by the VOYAH Dreamer are gradually winning the favor of consumers and accelerating the rise of Chinese brands in the MPV market by virtue of continuous technological exploration and product optimization.