To calmly treat China's SUV fever

At this year's Shanghai Auto Show, new energy vehicles are undoubtedly a hot spot, but in addition, people who are attentive may find that SUVs are becoming the focus of domestic and foreign manufacturers' recommendations.

In the United States, spacious, sturdy sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have always been considered one of the representatives of the American dream. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, this type of vehicle reached its peak in the U.S. market, and its sales once ranked first among many well-known manufacturers. However, with the soaring international oil prices and the financial crisis, the SUV's growth in the United States has gradually slowed since 2005 and declined in 2008. Today, the U.S. market has no advantage, but China across the ocean has shown strong demand for SUVs.

According to statistics from the China Automobile Association, the sales of SUVs in China last year reached 1.326 million, an increase of 101.27% year-on-year, much higher than the 30% growth rate of cars.

As a result, domestic and foreign manufacturers have turned their attention to SUVs. According to consulting firm J. D. According to Power and Associates, there are about 20 SUV models starting at the Shanghai Auto Show this year. Among them, GM set the world premiere of its Buick SUV concept car Envision in Shanghai, but did not choose the New York Auto Show held in the same period. Volkswagen also brought the world premiere of the Audi SUV Q3 to Shanghai, accompanied by the participation of four executive directors of the public – these four people collectively missed the New York auto show. All indications indicate that China has become an emerging hot market for SUVs that US car companies are optimistic about.

In addition, Ford and Nissan also brought new SUVs to the Shanghai auto show.

In its own brand, it is not only Great Wall Motors, a brand known for SUVs, that has launched its new Haval sports utility vehicle. Other manufacturers, such as BYD, which started as a small-displacement vehicle, and Roewe, which is known for its cars, are good at motorcycles. Lifan has also launched the first SUVs they have developed.

J. D. Power expects the popularity of SUVs in China is only just beginning, but it has not yet reached its peak. According to the report, the key potential buyers of SUVs in China today are men of 30 to 40 years of age living in first-tier cities who already have one or two cars. These people tend to have money and have outdoor sports hobbies. The SUV is just enough to meet. Their needs. At the same time, the purchasing power of SUVs in second and third-tier cities is far from being released, so analysts maintain optimistic estimates of the growth of this market.

However, although the boom in SUVs has moved to China, it does not mean that all manufacturers can profit from it.

As a high fuel consumption model, the unit fuel consumption of the SUV will gradually increase with the aging of the vehicle. Therefore, for those consumers who already have some common sense in the car and are prepared to buy a second car, they will value it, or say it. There is a certain ability to identify the fuel consumption design of an SUV. This year, foreign manufacturers have made the cards to reduce fuel consumption and energy-saving technologies. They believe that they have realized that Chinese consumers will have important considerations when selecting SUV models in the future. For domestic manufacturers, despite the current price advantage, with the soaring oil prices, the price advantage of the vehicle itself may not be as prominent as before, and technological breakthroughs are important competitive factors.

In addition, domestic manufacturers need to consider the risk of the policy. China has a large population and the vehicle environment is closer to Japan than to the United States. This determines that the government will focus on supporting new energy and small-displacement vehicles, making the policy environment for SUV development unfavorable. This will also affect the prices of future SUV products. Towards.

For those in power, "SUV fever" also poses new challenges to city management.

According to a long-term investigation in the United States, although the SUV seems to be larger and more stable, it has a higher probability of accidents than cars and the probability of casualties after a collision.

In the United States, scientists have now built an "SUV Solutions" website to explore a range of issues surrounding SUVs. For example, how to make SUV emissions smaller, thereby reducing the harm to public health; how to improve the technology, driving standards, reduce the probability of death of the car after the accident ... ... scientists hope to collect 50,000 through the site look forward Sex letters were sent to Jeffery Runge, director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States, urging the government to introduce SUV solutions, upgrade existing energy consumption, technology, and safety standards to help Americans realize their dream of owning SUVs. At the same time, it reduces the loss of life and energy.

Although China's SUV boom has just begun, it is developing rapidly. In the foreseeable future, sales may soon exceed the United States. Therefore, supporting technical standards, energy consumption standards, and road safety standards need to be introduced as soon as possible so as to reduce unnecessary accidents and energy losses.

The SUV has a personality and freedom of release - these are certainly not only loved by the Americans, but also the Chinese people have the right to enjoy. If negative constraints do not solve the problem, is it necessary to prepare in other ways? As a developing country, the greatest advantage lies in the experience of developed countries. Today, when SUVs ride China, are the managers of Chinese cities ready?