【introduction】
For the Chinese automobile market, fuel vehicles are still at the center of the stage, but the upward momentum of new energy vehicles cannot be ignored. However, Changan Automobile maintains its persistence in fuel vehicles in this new energy wave. Data shows that since 2023, although the sales of new energy vehicles have fallen like a tiger, the sales of fuel models such as Changan CS75 PLUS have unexpectedly counterattacked and maintained an average of about 15,000 units per month. This not only attracted attention from the industry, but also caused a thought-provoking question: Why did Changan choose the "dual-track route" in an era of competition between new energy and traditional fuel? Is this a deeper strategic layout or a helpless move to fight back?
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【First climax】
The new energy vehicle has an extra "throttle", but the fuel vehicle is unwilling to retreat. As an "old man" in the compact SUV market, Changan CS75 PLUS has attracted attention in its early years due to its super high cost-effectiveness and solid reputation, and once became the sales champion of SUVs in its own brand. However, the rise of new energy vehicles has made fuel vehicles seem to be half a beat behind. BYD has occupied the compact SUV new energy market with Song PLUS DM and Yuan PLUS, and sells 20,000 to 30,000 yuan per month. On the other hand, Changan seems to be optimistic about the future just by relying on the CS75 series that no longer supports the scene.
But is this situation really a sure thing? Changan just took out his killer weapon - launching the CS75 PLUS excellent model priced at only 115,900 yuan, with discounts upon launch, and the terminal price increased to 109,900 yuan. Isn’t this wave of operations obviously going to compare “who is more cost-effective” with new energy vehicles? However, cheap is cheap, and doubts also arise: Against the backdrop of the dual support of the intelligence of new energy vehicles and the power of motors, even if a fuel vehicle saves several thousand yuan, is it really worth the consumer paying for it?
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【Development process】
Is the facts really as simple as the surface? From the perspective of consumers, perhaps there are more aspects to be disassembled.
If you are a person who is accustomed to commuting in cities every day, new energy vehicles are undoubtedly very attractive - zero emissions, silentness and the convenience of "no traffic restrictions" policy are an advantage that fuel vehicles cannot reach. For veteran drivers who enjoy driving, it is common sense that the acceleration performance of new energy vehicles exceeds traditional fuel vehicles. BYD's Song PLUS DM can run to 100 kilometers and accelerate within 5 seconds with just moving your feet. Who can still have any opinions?
But the other side of the story is that new energy vehicles also have "complaints", such as battery life anxiety. Although the official statement is often 500 kilometers + range, anyone who has driven the car understands the actual situation. When the warm air is turned on in winter, the battery will lose power quickly, and when the air conditioner is turned on in summer, the battery will lose power quickly. Especially when traveling long distances and queuing for long queues in the service area to charge, no one really wants to experience it a few more times.
On the other hand, traditional fuel vehicles like Changan CS75 PLUS reflect its advantages. Come on for five minutes, move for a long time, and don’t worry about “staying up” halfway. Moreover, the power configuration (1.5T+8AT) of models like the new CS75 PLUS is no less than that of new energy vehicles. In actual testing, the throttle response is sensitive, the power output will come as you step on, and there is no pressure to overtake every day.
When choosing a vehicle, consumers not only consider price and power, but also brand and reputation. From this dimension, Changan's CS75 PLUS still meets the expectations of many Chinese families for "reliability and usefulness" with its family design, large wheelbase and rich configuration.
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【First low tide】
As new energy vehicles continue to "reduce prices and promote promotions", fuel vehicles seem to be in turmoil, but they also expose their weaknesses. In this era when intelligence has become the standard, although Changan CS75 PLUS is equipped with UNI OS system and supports the interconnection of Gaode Map and HUAWEI HiCar mobile phones, the screen design is a bit confusing. There are two small screens on both sides of the 14.6-inch large central control screen, which makes people shine at first glance, but the blank design in the middle often makes people feel that the overall picture is not refined enough.
Let’s talk about the driving experience. During the test drive, Changan's Blue Whale 8AT gearbox performed well: the gear shift was smooth and there was almost no sense of cease, which must be praised. However, the shock absorption is still a bit uncomfortable. When passing through the speed bump, the rear passengers may even "bounce". For consumers who value comfort, this area needs to be improved.
At the same time, the prices of models such as Geely Xingyue L are also constantly falling, and their advantages in intelligent cockpits, power performance, etc. are more prominent. Many consumers have begun to waver, reconsider their budgets, and even questioned Changan CS75 PLUS: "Why don't we choose new energy vehicles with higher configurations and lower prices?"
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【Second climax】
The real reversal is that fuel vehicles cannot swap new energy, but Changan has played the trick of "surrounding the city in the countryside". In recent years, although new energy vehicles have become popular, their performance in third- and fourth-tier cities and township markets has been relatively awkward. The reason is also very simple. First, the popularity of charging piles is low, and second, consumers are not well received by electric vehicles. In these areas, gas stations are basically "flowering everywhere", while the maintenance cost of fuel vehicles is relatively low. Changan CS75 PLUS quickly captured the hearts of users in this market with its low price and high practicality.
In addition, from the analysis of consumer psychology, many consumers are still full of confidence in fuel vehicles. Although new energy vehicles have unique tricks in intelligence, the corresponding maintenance costs and technical thresholds are also higher. As a "technology that has been verified for many years", fuel vehicles have obvious advantages in the value retention rate and replacement cost of the used car market. In other words, in the minds of most families, although fuel vehicles are old, their reliability still accounts for the "top score".
After reading this, we have to be amazed at Chang'an's vicious eyes. Although it did not gain much advantage in the new energy field, it has seized the urgent need for fuel vehicles in the low-tier market and relied on classic models like the CS75 PLUS to create a "non-mainstream way out".
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【Second Low Tide】
However, things are certainly not that simple. New energy vehicle manufacturers obviously will not let fuel vehicles turn over. Recently, more and more new hybrid models have suddenly entered the market, pointing their fingers directly at the loyal users of fuel vehicles. For example, plug-in hybrid models have almost crossed the technological generation gap between fuel vehicles and pure electric vehicles with the new characteristics of "boosting oil and charging". This move seemed to have sealed a "fatal point" for Changan's fuel models.
In addition, even if fuel vehicles are the first in the segmented market in the short term, from the perspective of the entire industry, the trend of being gradually marginalized by new energy cannot be ignored. Since 2023, more and more cities at home and abroad have successively introduced fuel vehicle restrictions, and may even be completely "banned" in the next 10 years, which has sounded the alarm for all fuel vehicle manufacturers. Although Changan CS75 PLUS can currently win the market by relying on cost-effectiveness, whether it can survive for a long time is not only a matter of technology, but also a policy track.
Finally, even though Changan has achieved remarkable results in the fuel vehicle market, as a whole, there are still too many questions waiting to be answered. For example, how to break through in the new energy field? How to maintain user stickiness? How to fight against strong hostility? These are the reality that Chang'an needs to face urgently.
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【Written at the end】
From another perspective, Changan is indeed a "sustainable" player. It is difficult to compete head-on with BYD in the new energy field, so it is like a "circumcision battle" with fuel vehicles breaking through the low-tier market. But the question is, how long can such a play last? Fuel vehicles are destined to be the sunset industry, and this fact cannot be subverted. In the final analysis, although Changan CS75 PLUS relies on high cost performance to play a beautiful battle, its "lost points" in the new energy track is still a pity.
It is worth mentioning that although fuel vehicles are alienating them from consumers, the efforts provided by Changan prove one thing - opportunities are always left to "veterans" who are willing to adapt to the environment. It once again set a backup track for the industry during the failure of fuel vehicles.
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【Editor wants to ask】
Will fuel vehicles really be completely eliminated? What do you think of Changan CS75 PLUS's "surprise attack" strategy outside the new energy track? Is it a clever make up for it or a avoidance of the future? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area to discuss who is the more suitable choice for home use: new energy or fuel vehicles?
