Tiggo 8L aims at the "daddy car" business, large space plus self-developed 8AT i

tech | 2024-03-10

After the ideal reliance on the "dad car" setting has made a fortune, Chery has also set its sights on this business. The recently launched Tiggo 8L, officially positioned as a "5+2 seat smart enjoy big family SUV, for the urban elite who delight in family and self."

So how competitive is this car? What is the expected increase for the "Tiggo 8" family in the future? Let's analyze below.

First, let's talk about the price. There are 5 models of Tiggo 8L, with a price range of 129,900 to 174,900 yuan. What's more, the official also offers a listing benefit of a 10,000 yuan discount for car purchases before August 31, which is equivalent to a limited time price of 119,900 to 164,900 yuan.

At the first sight of this price, I really think it's very "fragrant". After all, this is a medium-sized SUV with a wheelbase of 2770mm, which is 60mm more than the 2710mm of the other three models in the Tiggo 8 family. At the same time, its car length and width are also the largest in the family, coupled with a full range of 2.0T+8AT standard configuration. You know, this was a configuration that domestic cars over 200,000 yuan would have in the past.

However, after the Chinese car market has been rolled to today's point, the price system of fuel vehicles has collapsed and reshaped, and the price of each level of car has basically dropped a gear. For example, the Tiggo 8 family, which is all medium-sized SUVs, currently has a terminal starting price of less than 90,000, while the same level of new energy vehicles, even the lowest-priced Zero Run C10, C11 starting price is also more than 120,000, and the starting price of BYD Tang DM is close to 180,000.

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It is precisely by leveraging the competitive strategy of misalignment that the Tiggo 8 family has been able to secure a place in the fiercely competitive medium-sized SUV market. Data shows that in the just passed July, the Tiggo 8 family ranked second in the medium-sized SUV market with a performance of 13,138, second only to Tesla Model Y. Against the background of the domestic retail penetration rate of new energy vehicles breaking through 50%, it is one of the few fuel vehicles that can rank in the top list of segmented car sales.

Admittedly, this approach has made the Tiggo 8 family a sales legend, but it also makes the pricing of Tiggo 8L only anchored to a few models in the same family, rather than the previous domestic medium-sized SUV. Therefore, to evaluate its cost performance, it is necessary to further study the configuration table to make a judgment.

Looking at the price alone, Tiggo 8L still has an absolute cost performance advantage compared to other models in the same family. It is not only the only model in the Tiggo 8 family equipped with 8AT, but also the largest in size, and the starting price is less than 120,000. As a reference, the current terminal starting price of Tiggo 8 PRO 2.0T version is 136,900, but it is matched with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.

However, a careful study of the configuration table will find that it is not so simple - in fact, the low-end Tiggo 8L priced at 119,900 and the next low-end priced at 129,900 do not have obvious advantages in configuration. The next low-end has more configurations than the low-end, including SONY custom audio, 360° high-definition panoramic imaging, induction wiper, folding and heating of outer rearview mirrors, transparent chassis, etc., while many main comfort and intelligent configurations, including multi-color ambient light, genuine leather steering wheel, main driver memory, one-key comfort of co-driver, front row 3-stage heating and ventilation, co-driver electric adjustment, driving recorder, and intelligent driving assistance, are only available in the mid-range and above versions priced at 139,900.So the mid-configuration version is the main sales model for the future of the Ruihu 8L. The low and mid-low configurations are basically just there to lower the price threshold of the car series, and the actual sales will not be much. In this way, compared with other models in the same family, the Ruihu 8L does not have a price advantage. Its greatest advantage lies in its larger space and the only 8AT.

So far, the pricing strategy of the Ruihu 8L is very clear. Chery should want to use differentiated product positioning to distinguish it from other models in the same family, not price.

After talking about the price, let's look at the product. In order to better cater to family users, the Ruihu 8L has also made a lot of adjustments this time.

In terms of exterior design, the Ruihu 8L shows a more refined and atmospheric style. Although the front face uses a dot-matrix grille similar to the Ruihu 8 PLUS, its front headlights and the design of the air intakes on both sides are more concise. The side of the car uses hidden door handles, the waist line is smooth and flat, and the overall shape is more stable.

The changes in the interior are also very significant. The traditional large-scale joint screen layout has been abandoned, replaced by a combination of a 15.6-inch 2.5K high-definition display and a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel, creating a strong technological atmosphere. It looks very amazing. From the current feedback from netizens, it is also the most satisfied with this adjustment.

Of course, the main innovation of the Ruihu 8L lies in its space and power system. In terms of body size, the new car is 4795x1930x1729mm in length, width, and height. Especially mentioned before, its wheelbase has reached 2770mm. From the data, it is not only the largest space model in the Ruihu 8 family, but also in a leading position in the same class. In addition, it also provides a 7-seater layout, and the official claims that the "room rate" is as high as 70.04%. When the second and third row seats are folded down, it can achieve a trunk volume of 2065L, enough to accommodate 30 suitcases.

In terms of power, the Ruihu 8L is equipped with a full-stack self-developed Kunpeng 8AT transmission. It is said that its performance surpasses the Aisin 8AT. Although this statement still needs to be verified, the improvement in driving experience is undoubtedly. In addition to the progress in experience, its significance also lies in enabling Chery to achieve the achievement of all three major parts of self-research, solving the "neck-holding" problem faced by independent car companies in the fuel car era.

Finally, in terms of safety, which family users attach great importance to, the Ruihu 8L also inherits Chery's consistent excellent tradition. In Chery's view, the white car body is the most luxurious configuration of a car. Therefore, the proportion of high-strength steel in the Ruihu 8L is the highest in the same class at 85%, and there are double anti-collision beams and extra-large aluminum alloy upper anti-collision beams. Coupled with safety configurations such as Bosch intelligent IPB braking, 7 airbag fatigue monitoring system, and E-CALL rescue call system, it provides more comprehensive protection.Jia Shi Conclusion:

After the launch of the Tiggo 8L, some opinions suggest that its pricing overlaps with other models in the Tiggo 8 family, leading to a reserved attitude towards it, fearing it might repeat Chery's past mistakes of unclear product sales positioning.

However, upon careful examination, it is not difficult to find that Chery has also realized this issue. The pricing of the Tiggo 8L does not have much room for maneuver; it is priced higher than the Exeed brand and lower than its own models, which would cause overlap. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the product positioning to achieve differentiation from other models in the same family.

In my view, there is no need to be overly pessimistic about the future market prospects of the Tiggo 8L. Its spacious interior and independently developed 8AT transmission are very attractive selling points for consumers. More importantly, this car is aimed at the global market. Currently, in addition to the Chinese market, other countries still have strong demand for fuel vehicles. If Chery's 8AT transmission is recognized by the market for its reliability and durability, with the improvement of its reputation, its sales potential is enormous, and it is expected to become another pillar product on Chery's export path.