At present, the domestic new energy pickup market is still relatively niche. In this blue ocean, Geely's radar car stands out. According to the data, in 2023, Geely Radar will occupy more than 60% of the market share of the new energy pickup truck market with only one model, the radar RD6 model, and win the sales champion of China's new energy pickup truck market in 2023. However, at this stage, BYD, Changan, Great Wall and other car companies have begun to target the new energy pickup market. How to continue to maintain competitiveness in the market segment has become an urgent problem for Geely Radar to solve.
The answer given by Geely Radar is two "breakdowns". On the one hand, it is necessary to penetrate those four-wheel drive pickups that are not super at all, and on the other hand, to penetrate those fuel pickups that do not save money at all. "Technology breaks through the upper limit, and the price breaks through the bottom line. Geely Radar CEO Ling Shiquan said at the press conference on the same day. As a landing product, on April 23, on the eve of the Beijing Auto Show, Geely Radar officially launched the four-wheel drive pure electric pickup truck "Horizon" and the 2024 radar RD6.
Among them, Radar Horizon has launched a total of three models, of which the AIR 460km version is priced at 181,800 yuan, the MAX 460km version is priced at 209,800 yuan, and the AIR 520km version is priced at 221,800 yuan. The 2024 Radar RD6 will be available in two models, of which the 415km version of the Science and Technology Innovation Edition is priced at 151,800 yuan, and the 560km version of the Science and Technology Innovation Edition is priced at 199,800 yuan. At the same time, Geely Radar also announced that it has signed cooperation agreements with dealer representatives from more than a dozen countries around the world to further expand overseas markets.
How did Radar Horizon achieve a breakthrough in the upper limit of pickup truck technology? This is mainly due to the platform born by Radar Horizon - M.A.P Radar Hanhai Platform. It is understood that unlike other platforms, the M.A.P radar Hanhai platform integrates pickup truck technology and new energy passenger vehicle technology, which makes the radar horizon not only have the mechanical properties of the traditional pickup truck platform, but also have the electrical characteristics of the new energy platform.
In terms of mechanical properties. Thanks to the M.A.P radar Hanhai platform, the maximum rated load of the radar horizon reaches 865kg, and the carrying efficiency has reached more than 38%, far exceeding the industry average of less than 20%. At the same time, it has a super towing capacity of 3000kg. Super load-carrying and towing capabilities. The radar horizon can not only pull a car full of equipment, but also tow a large-space, container villa RV.
If you can pull more, you have to go far. Radar Horizon is the first Chinese pickup truck equipped with a dual electric drive system, with a maximum power of 315kW, a maximum torque of 594N·m, and a 000 acceleration of only 4.5s, which is on an equal footing with Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian, comparable to the 3.0T Porsche 911, which also makes Radar Horizon the first pickup truck model in the industry that can accelerate with a supercar. In addition, the maximum speed of the radar horizon can reach 190km/h, which is far more than other pickup trucks in China in terms of acceleration and top speed.
The technical "ceiling" of the radar horizon certainly does not stop there. Radar Horizon has 7 driving modes: Economy, Comfort, Sport, Snow, Mud, Off-Road and Wading. Among them, it is worth mentioning that in terms of wading ability, the maximum wading depth of the radar horizon reaches 815mm, which is the pickup with the strongest wading ability that can be bought in China. In order to better achieve the "super" wading ability, the waterproof level of the radar horizon high-voltage system has reached IP67, and the waterproof level of the power battery pack has reached IP68.
In addition, it is also equipped with detailed functions such as wading air conditioning off and wading power protection, "We have to do a good job of protecting every millimeter underwater." Ling Shiquan said at the press conference. In addition, the minimum turning radius of this model is only 3.5 meters, which is the shortest in the same class in China.
And in terms of electrical properties. The radar horizon discharge reached 21kW. What does 21kW of external discharge mean? Almost as much as the discharge capacity of two Cybertrucks. Specifically, the general household electricity is between 3 and 5kW, and the 200-square-meter family can reach 10kW, including refrigerators, TVs, computers, microwave ovens, etc. The 21kW discharge power means that a radar horizon can allow two families who are accustomed to living on large flats to live at home in the outdoor camping without having to plug and unplug all the appliances at the same time.
In fact, the external discharge of the radar horizon is not only powerful, but also the discharge interface and specifications are quite complete, in the rear box, front trunk, car, charging port and other positions have external discharge interfaces, support driving, parking, lock car discharge, can also charge and discharge, can also remotely control discharge, the maximum discharge of 73 degrees, 85% of the maximum discharge threshold is controllable and adjustable. At the same time, 220V household and 380V industrial electricity can be satisfied, and it can even charge other new energy vehicles when necessary.
Also thanks to the M.A.P Radar Hanhai platform, the radar horizon is different from traditional fuel pickup trucks in terms of intelligence, and at the same time is not inferior to mainstream new energy passenger vehicles. Radar Horizon has L2+ level of intelligent assisted driving. In addition, the car is equipped with a 540° transparent chassis, ADB matrix headlights, intelligent voice cockpit, etc. Among them, intelligent voice supports 22 drone controls, and can give instructions to drones such as route planning and data transmission through voice.
In addition, 24 radars RD6 have also achieved breakthroughs at the technical level. The weight capacity of the vehicle has been increased from 450 kg to 800 kg. At the same time, the comfort and convenience of the vehicle have been upgraded, and the 50W wireless charging function and 220V interface have been added to the car, and the cruise control is configured. The exterior mirrors also have a defrost function. At the same time, the cargo box lighting, which is highly requested by users, also appeared on the 24 radar RD6 models.
At the press conference, Geely Radar Horizon regarded Tesla Cybertruck as the most direct opponent. In terms of price alone, the Tesla Cybertruck has not yet been listed in China, and the starting price of the Tesla Cybertruck is $60,990, equivalent to about 435,000 yuan. Compared with the radar horizon that starts at 181,800 yuan, the latter is obviously much closer to the people.
In fact, the radar horizon can be seen as a dual-motor version of the radar RD6. In this way, the radar RD6 can provide single motor, dual motor, 410km, 415km, 460km, 520km, 550km, 560km, 632km model options, which undoubtedly enriches the product system and enhances product competitiveness. At present, Geely Radar only has a radar RD6 model on sale, so from the price point of view alone, Geely Radar's starting price of 145,900 yuan beats a number of new energy pickups. For reference, the starting price of the Jiangling Avenue EV is CNY 182,800, the Great Wall Fengjun New Energy is CNY 199,800, and the Great Wall Cannon New Energy is CNY 251,800.
Next, the Geely Radar product matrix will enter acceleration. It is reported that Geely Radar will launch more power forms for different use needs, including plug-in hybrid and extended-range hybrid models. In terms of model positioning, in addition to the current mid-size RD6, mid-size and full-size models will be quickly launched. At the product level, Geely Radar will continue to invest in the development of existing models, and will also carry out adaptability research and development for different market characteristics, such as the upgrade of the intelligent cockpit, the verification of high temperature and extreme cold, and the adaptation of external discharge power.
In Ling Shiquan's view, the overseas pickup truck market is still a blue ocean for Chinese car companies. To this end, in addition to the development of the domestic market, Geely Radar will also accelerate the expansion of overseas markets. It is reported that Geely Radar has launched its overseas strategy in July last year, and has so far expanded nearly 20 overseas markets including Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and other regions, and has received more than 1,000 orders. Geely Radar will continue to expand to markets in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Thailand, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Central and South America, and improve its global layout. Geely Radar CMO Guo Tiefu said that this year, Geely Radar's overseas market sales target can reach 1/4-1/3, with the continuous expansion of radar in overseas markets, the proportion of overseas sales is expected to increase year by year.