There are many reasons to support domestically produced cars. There is no need to promote such a grand ideal as revitalizing the domestic automobile industry. In the final analysis, buying domestically produced cars is the most appropriate choice within a certain price range. We can no longer look at domestic cars with the same eyes as 10 years ago. They are progressive and worth buying.
How far have domestic cars made progress? No one can make a comprehensive summary, because domestic cars have really made obvious breakthroughs in all aspects. The purpose of the professor's article is to compare the old and new, allowing you to see the progress of domestically produced cars more intuitively, so that you can buy with confidence.
The biggest drawback of domestically produced cars is simply their high fuel consumption. This impression actually comes from ten years ago, when most domestically produced cars used Mitsubishi engines. Mitsubishi engines are cheap and have excellent power parameters, but their fuel consumption does not inherit the fine tradition of Japanese engines. Coupled with the lack of experience in adjusting engines and gearboxes of domestically produced cars, it is not surprising that some relatively large SUVs have fuel consumption exceeding 15L/100km, such as some models of Zotye and Landwind.
Some knowledgeable veteran drivers will say: It is not just fuel consumption, but also the three major components of domestic cars. The advantages and disadvantages of the three major parts can be used to summarize many problems, such as abnormal noises, rust, malfunctions and other minor problems. I used to buy a domestic car and it was like raising an old man. I would not be relieved even if I said "not bad" to a domestic car.
The engine, gearbox, and chassis are the core of a car. If the technology is not up to standard, it will indeed cause many problems. Since the era of big copycats, many domestic car companies have made their first pot of gold. People of insight here have realized the importance of independent research and development, and have carried out research on the three major products, and have achieved remarkable success.
Here is some popular science for you. In fact, when you see that some parts of the engine or gearbox are provided by mainland suppliers, you often have questions. What about independent research and development? In fact, many parts are subject to relevant patent restrictions. For example, the transmission steel belt on the CVT gearbox is provided by Bosch, and car companies cannot circumvent these patents.
It’s just that the cylinder body and the electronic control system are designed by ourselves. Just like building a house, the foundation and load-bearing beams are very important. Imported electrical appliances are just embellishments of life. This is not only true for domestically produced cars, but also for most car brands in the world. It is not easy for domestic automobile brands to make such progress despite layers of blockades. You can refer to the recent technological war to understand the extent of the danger.
Car companies also know that everyone is concerned about fuel consumption, so most of the new generation of domestic engines use 350Bar high-pressure fuel injection systems, water-cooled intercoolers, dual-channel turbines, etc., to improve the thermal efficiency of the engine. , so the fuel consumption is also significantly reduced. For example, Changan's Blue Whale NE power platform has a maximum thermal efficiency as high as 40%, and the range is more concentrated.
The table is actual measurement
The comprehensive fuel consumption per 100 kilometers of domestic small-displacement engines (1.5L, 1.6L, 1.5T, 1.6T, etc.) is concentrated around 6-8L, and the domestic 2.0 The T model's comprehensive fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is around 9-11L, and all of them meet National VI emissions. Generally speaking, the fuel consumption of SUV models will be higher because of their high quality. The fuel consumption of sedans is already infinitely close to that of joint venture brands.
There are two ideas for domestically produced cars when it comes to gearboxes. One is to develop independently, and the other is to purchase gearboxes from international parts suppliers such as Aisin and ZF. Although the things you buy are useful, they may become a shackles on your head. For example, many domestic car companies are unable to pursue the Aisin 8AT and can only use the high-priced Aisin 6AT. Moreover, Aisin 6AT has a dark history of cutting off supply due to insufficient production capacity, which has led to the embarrassing situation of some domestic car companies having no cars to sell.
Domestic gearboxes are mainly dual-clutch gearboxes. Because there are relatively few dual-clutch patents, domestic car companies have relatively low R&D costs. For example, Great Wall and Chery both focus on dual-clutch. Don’t talk about dual-clutch. After all, the sales volume of Haval H6 has exceeded one million. The shipment volume of Great Wall’s dual-clutch has exceeded 10 million. The performance of so many dual-clutches is also It's obvious to all.
In fact, the chassis should be put first. After all, it carries parts such as the engine, gearbox, and electrical equipment. The reasonable layout of the engine and gearbox hardware is crucial to safety and maintenance convenience. . The chassis also has a great impact on handling, driving texture, sound insulation, etc.
The chassis is like the foundation from which tall buildings are built. If the foundation is not good, no matter how you repair it, it will be useless.
In the past, domestically produced cars favored reverse joint venture models. Although they produced products relatively quickly, the workmanship, materials, etc. could not keep up, resulting in many problems, such as abnormal noises and malfunctions. In addition to being able to launch various differentiated models, the biggest advantage of the current independent research and development platform is that it can be carved according to existing conditions.
Domestic car body materials
How many MPa of body steel should be used and what kind of welding process should be used to ensure strength? This is an improvement in the entire car manufacturing process. When I was in college, I also saw the existence of manual spot welding. Nowadays, most factories use laser welding. Some workshops are even equipped with automated machines, which is a huge improvement compared to ten years ago.
After seeing the progress in hardware, you can accept it when you look at the design. In fact, domestic cars have always been very bad, and the progress in appearance design is actually the most obvious. During the period of large-scale copycats, the appearance of joint venture cars was imitated, and there was always a feeling that "a tiger cannot be compared to a dog". In recent years, by cultivating its own designers or poaching some big-name overseas designers, both cars and SUVs have created a very grand feeling.
Not only do Chinese people recognize the appearance of domestically produced cars, but even foreign friends are generous in praising the design of domestically produced cars. Francesco Scardaoni, general manager of Lamborghini China, once publicly stated at the Beijing Auto Show that he likes the design of Chinese luxury brand WEY very much. At the same time, he said that Chinese brand car companies have gradually caught up and are already providing many new technologies. Maybe in a few years, foreign-funded companies will learn from Chinese companies, including innovation, design and other aspects. ?
The most representative car company is BYD. Before the Dargon Face design language was used, the appearance of BYD's models was mediocre. After Wolfgang Egger joined, BYD's appearance has improved by more than one level, which is very helpful for its sales.
Talking back to our domestic designers, Shao Jingfeng of SAIC is also famous. Whether it is Roewe or MG, they are very distinctive in terms of visual effects, and there is no trace of imitation. When you compare a certain model of SAIC Passenger Cars with the same price range, you will find that SAIC's models are better than their competitors in terms of curved surface design and high-end paint finish.
I have to say that the design of domestic cars is no longer the same, especially domestic cars are very good at creating a leapfrog experience. This car may be priced at 100,000, but through design, it looks There are more than 200,000 followers, which is really awesome.
The appearance is for others to see, but the interior is what you get along with day and night. The most satisfying thing about domestic cars is the interior, which is actually highlighted by design and configuration. Most of the current domestically produced cars are designed with an enveloping cockpit, using a large central control touch screen + a large amount of leather materials. The visual effect and tactile feel are much better than many joint venture models.
In fact, 10 years ago, the interiors of domestically produced cars were imitated. They were often low-end models imitating high-end joint venture cars, and they were a mixture of several brands, which looked nondescript. After independent research and development, doing this again is no longer in line with the trend of development. Domestic cars have begun to design their own interiors. This process is actually an exploratory process. How to ensure a greater success rate?
The answer is stacking materials and stacking configuration. Even if the design is not good, car companies have put their money where their mouth is, and consumers will not feel that they are at a disadvantage. With the increase in experience, many domestic car companies have grasped the direction of interior design, combining leather with buttons, soft touch, and good damping.
Of course, due to price and experience, it is difficult for domestically produced cars to have luxurious interiors similar to luxury cars. But it must be much better than the interior of joint venture cars in the same price range.
The biggest factor restricting the development of domestic cars is price. Consumers cannot accept that domestic cars have a price comparable to joint venture cars of the same level. If the price is the same, most of them will buy joint venture cars. Therefore, domestically produced cars can only produce "high-quality and low-priced" models at extremely low prices. However, the cost is limited, and the space for the growth of this model is also limited.
So far this is still an unsolvable problem, but through hard work, everyone has seen the progress of domestically produced cars, so more people support domestically produced cars. I hope that your support and mine can help domestic cars transform as soon as possible.
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.