Technology tycoons sell luxury cars for new energy, triggering a marketing frenzy of car companies
In this era of the pursuit of environmentally friendly new energy, a technology tycoon with a net worth of billions suddenly decided to sell the million-dollar luxury car Maybach and buy domestic new energy vehicles instead, triggering a crazy marketing war among car companies. This big guy is Zhou Hongyi, the founder of 360 Company, known as the "Red-clothed Master".
Zhou Hongyi made the first pot of gold in China with 360 antivirus software, and later made a fortune in the Internet, artificial intelligence and other fields, and became a well-known rich man. As a native of Beijing, Zhou Hongyi's taste for cars is also unique - his favorite car is a Maybach 600 luxury car worth tens of millions, and this "red-clothed man" can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys of Beijing.
However, just recently, Zhou Hongyi suddenly posted a video on social media, announcing that he was going to sell the Maybach that had been with him for 9 years and buy a domestic new energy vehicle instead. This decision is undoubtedly a big surprise, after all, in the eyes of most people, Maybach is the "ultimate dream" of the automobile industry, and being able to drive such a luxury car is undoubtedly a symbol of a net worth of more than 100 million.
Car companies are diligent
Zhou Hongyi's decision undoubtedly caused a sensation, because as a technology tycoon, his taste in choosing a car will directly affect consumers' car purchase decisions. Major car companies will naturally not let go of this "once-in-a-lifetime" marketing opportunity.
The first to bear the brunt is Xpeng Motors. A few hours after Zhou Hongyi released the video of selling the car, Xpeng Motors' official Weibo quickly posted "The car has been delivered to the downstairs of your company", accompanied by a real photo of Xpeng X9 parked under the 360 company building. These guys are really resolute, and even Zhou Hongyi was shocked by this "idiot" enthusiasm.
Immediately afterwards, various car companies have also joined this marketing war. Li Bin, chairman of Weilai Automobile, threw an "olive branch" to Zhou Hongyi at the first time, expressing his willingness to provide Weilai models for him to experience. Nezha Automobile CEO Daniel Zhang directly sent his L model to the door. Even Yu Chengdong, Huawei's executive director, joined the battle group and expressed his willingness to provide experience cars.
Zhou Hongyi is really overwhelmed now. The executives of various car companies are like a group of young men in love, and you are courteous to the "red-clothed leader" every word, and the scene is really a bit joyful. However, Zhou Hongyi didn't seem to buy these "enthusiasms" too much, and he joked on social media: "I want to sell Maybach 600, not Maybach for 600 yuan!"
Analysis of the reasons behind the marketing war
Why are car companies so crazy to "pat on the back" to Zhou Hongyi? The reason is nothing more than two words: traffic.
As one of the most well-known technology tycoons in China, Zhou Hongyi's every move will attract widespread attention. Which model he chooses will undoubtedly directly affect consumers' car purchase decisions. Zhou Hongyi himself is a "traffic password".
The prospect of the new energy vehicle market is also an important reason why car companies are so crazy. As the country's restrictions on traditional fuel vehicles become more and more stringent, new energy vehicles have become the only way for future development. Zhou Hongyi's public statement of support for domestic new energy vehicles this time will undoubtedly further boost consumer confidence.
Major car companies hope to take advantage of this "east wind" to advertise on new energy models and improve brand awareness. After all, in this era, traffic is the lifeline, and whoever masters the traffic will take the lead.
The marketing war continues to escalate
Although Zhou Hongyi didn't buy the "enthusiasm" of car companies, this marketing war did not stop there, but intensified.
In addition to the actual car display, major car companies also use a variety of online and offline marketing methods to win attention. Emerging marketing models such as social media and live streaming are widely used, and even the concept of the metaverse has been hyped by car companies.
Take Xpeng Motors as an example, they not only drove the X9 model downstairs to the 360 company, but also hyped it on social platforms, and invited a number of Internet celebrities to carry out live broadcasts. Nezha Automobile launched a limited edition model of "The Master in Red", and made simultaneous efforts online and offline.
How long will this marketing war last? Which model will Zhou Hongyi eventually "favor"? We will wait and see. However, judging from the current situation, this battle may be far from over, and all car companies are preparing to compete with each other. For ordinary consumers, this is undoubtedly an unprecedented "car feast".
Escalation of marketing wars: online and offline
Seeing that various car companies are working so hard to "pat the horse", Zhou Hongyi seems to be a little embarrassed. He joked on social media: "I'm too flattered as a 'red-clothed sect leader', right?"
Car companies won't stop there. Instead, they've escalated the marketing war to an unprecedented level – both online and offline.
Online, various car companies have placed advertisements on social platforms and short video apps to promote their new energy models. Xiaopeng Motors even directly opened a "Zhou Hongyi Car Change" area on Douyin, calling on netizens to recommend their favorite models for the "red-clothed leader".
Offline, it is the real car display and roadshow activities are blooming everywhere. NIO has placed dozens of new cars at its experience center in Beijing, and has also prepared a test drive channel for Zhou Hongyi. Nezha Automobile opened a month-long roadshow in Haidian District, where Zhou Hongyi is located.
Even the ideal car, which has always been low-key, finally couldn't help but join the war group. They not only hyped up on social platforms, but also hung large billboards near Zhou Hongyi's company, which was simply the highlight of the "pig killing plate".
In the face of such "crazy" marketing, Zhou Hongyi couldn't cry or laugh. He teased: "I'm too flattered as the 'Red Master', right? But you have to let me pick and choose, don't always push me the most expensive model!"
Will the marketing wars continue to heat up?
How long will this unprecedented marketing war last, and will it escalate again? We will wait and see.
However, judging from the current situation, all car companies have made great efforts and will never stop there. Zhou Hongyi's "traffic password" is too tempting, and no one wants to give up easily.
It is likely that we will see the emergence of more innovative marketing methods, such as metaverse virtual showrooms, AI avatar spokespersons, and so on. Car companies may use emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to tailor "customized" marketing plans for Zhou Hongyi.
This marketing war is far from over. For us ordinary consumers, it should be an unprecedented "car feast", let's wait and see who can win the favor of the "red-clothed leader" in the end.
Zhou Hongyi, a technology tycoon with a net worth of billions, suddenly decided to sell the multi-million dollar luxury car Maybach and buy domestic new energy vehicles instead, triggering a crazy marketing war among major car companies. Online and offline, car companies have done their best to show their hospitality to the "red-clothed leader", from real car display to live streaming, from roadshow activities to metaverse marketing. Who will finally win Zhou Hongyi's "favor" and become the ultimate winner of this marketing war? We will wait and see. However, for ordinary consumers, this is undoubtedly an unprecedented "car feast", let's enjoy this unique marketing carnival!