Last year, Geely Automobile Group CEO Gan Jiayue announced the product plan of the Galaxy series: to launch seven electric vehicles within two years.
In addition to the Galaxy L6, L7 and E8 that have been listed, the remaining 4 models include-
One plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Galaxy L5, and three pure electric representatives, the Galaxy E5, E6 and E7.
It is worth noting that 2024 is about to pass the halfway point, and so far the Galaxy series has not launched any new models.
The belated Galaxy E5 will be the first sound of the Galaxy series in 2024.
This shot will be thrown into the war-intensive compact SUV market.
In the face of the subdivision track guarded by hot-selling models such as Aion Y and Yuan PLUS, can Galaxy E5 successfully break through?
From the very beginning, Geely Galaxy has put forward the proposition of "only making high-value new energy vehicles".
In this way, Geely hopes that the Galaxy will play such a role - to change the market impression of Geely fuel vehicles in the past.
In this way, it is also understandable why there was a controversy last year that "the price of the Galaxy L6 is higher than that of the Qin PLUS DM-i".
With the CMA architecture, larger size, stronger power, and more advanced suspension materials, the Galaxy L6 is actually positioned above the Qin PLUS DM-i.
But helplessly, under the pressure of the momentum of the BYD Champion Edition last year, the outside world's call for the Galaxy L6 is more than a price reduction.
However, the Geely Galaxy has not been moved.
In addition to the insistence on positioning, another main reason has also been revealed-to take into account the positioning of the more entry-level Galaxy E5.
It is worth mentioning that the Galaxy L6 Longteng Edition, which was launched at the beginning of the year, has pulled the starting price to 99,800 yuan.
In this way, can the Galaxy E5 still adhere to the proposition of "high value"?
In the few models in the current Galaxy series, Geely emphasizes the concept of "building cars with architecture".
The Galaxy L6 and L7 are all derived from the CMA architecture, while the E8 is the first SEA vast architecture model in the Galaxy series.
Last year, Geely also revealed that the Galaxy L6 will be the smallest model with the lowest price threshold under the CMA architecture.
There is no problem with this statement, because now the Galaxy E5 has developed a new architectural concept - GEA architecture.
Compared with the BMA and CMA architecture in the era of fuel vehicles, the GEA architecture will break the constraints of size standards and cover different sizes from A-class to D-class.
In addition, the GEA architecture is compatible with a wide range of drive forms such as pure electric, hybrid, extended range, and methanol.
The definition and name of GEA's architecture is more or less in line with SEA's vast architecture.
However, one of the main differences between the GEA architecture is that it is compatible with a wide range of drive types, while the SEA architecture is only for pure electric vehicles.
Regarding Geely's ability to produce automobiles, the SEA architecture, which can be shared by multiple brands, has been fully convincing.
Among them, SEA models such as Polestar, smart and Lotus have also delivered good results and successfully passed the test in overseas markets.
In this regard, Li Chuanhai, president of Geely Central Research Institute, proudly said——
"We are now the leader of China's automotive technology exports, and the degree of globalization should be the best among Chinese brands."
"After Geely acquired Volvo in 2010, we established the CEVT R&D team in 2013."
"From there, we have built a global R&D technology system that adapts to the goals and regulatory standards of different markets."
"The Volvo EX30 was developed by our team at Geely Research Institute, except for the styling and product definition."
"For the requirements of different markets, we have no problem from system capabilities to technology research and development capabilities."
Obviously, Geely's "strong" structural capabilities have long been affirmed by overseas markets.
In fact, the Galaxy E5 also has the goal of "being born global".
As the first model in the Galaxy series to be developed simultaneously with the left and right rudders, the Galaxy E5 meets the product standards of 89 countries.
Such a high positioning has already shown that the Galaxy E5 has a good product strength.
To this end, the new car has prepared an 11-in-1 highly integrated intelligent electric drive, with a volume of only 72L and a weight of only 79.8kg, which can achieve a comprehensive efficiency of up to 90.04%.
In addition, the electric drive system has a high-loop top speed of 180 km/h and can be driven at that speed for up to 42 minutes.
In addition, the Galaxy E5 also has a test speed of up to 78km/h, a minimum turning radius of 5.4 meters, and a front and rear axle load ratio of 50:50.
The Galaxy E5's entry into Europe has probably been written into the plan.
In addition to the high-value electric drive strength, the Galaxy E5 will also debut a new generation of "blade" lithium iron phosphate battery - Aegis short knife battery.
Geely pointed out that the new battery has achieved technological breakthroughs in safety, cycle life, fast charging capacity and low-temperature discharge performance.
Among them, the Aegis short knife battery is still stable and reliable under extreme destruction conditions, reaching the safety level of "military grade".
It is reported that the energy density of the new battery has been increased to nearly 200Wh/kg, and with the low wind resistance of the vehicle Cd 0.269, the Galaxy E5 has achieved a good pure electric range performance.
The CLTC range of the new car is divided into two versions: 440 km and 530 km, and the power data of 160 kW and 320 Nm is 100 seconds in 6.9 seconds.
These parameters, all of which are to slightly overwhelm the BYD Yuan PLUS.
Obviously, the Galaxy E5 knows who it's up to to it.
In this year's New Year's message, Ganjiayue wrote such a paragraph-
"2024 will be another year of 'volume'. Volume Price, Volume Products, Volume Services, Volume Traffic...... It's time to 'see the truth.'"
On the first day of work at the beginning of the year, BYD took out the Qin PLUS DM-i Glory Edition with a price cut of 20,000 yuan.
Recently, Qin L and Seal 06, which are sold from 99,800, have pushed the degree of involution to a new climax.
In this regard, the bigwigs of various car companies can't sit still.
Zeng Qinghong, chairman of GAC Group, said that GAC is not opposed to price wars, nor is it afraid of price wars.
"It's okay to make profits, but it's not sustainable, and companies can't survive without benefits."
In Li Shufu's view, if the level of marketization is high, transparent and fair competition is a good thing, and vice versa.
"Endless involution, simple and crude price wars, the result is cutting corners, counterfeiting and selling, and disorderly competition that does not comply with regulations."
As for Li Yunfei, general manager of BYD's brand and public relations department, as a representative of the "King of Volumes", he can naturally give a calm response-
"The price war should be done according to one's ability, and if you can't, you can follow it, and if you can't follow it."
"It's like a game, this one doesn't work, there's the next."
In this way, in the face of the Yuan PLUS, which sold more than 300,000 units last year, the Galaxy E5 is Geely's new trump card to open the next game.
Like the way of playing endurance and power data, Galaxy E5 is also determined to surpass the Yuan PLUS in size.
With a 4615x1901x1670mm wheelbase of 2750mm, the Galaxy E5 has indeed done its homework on every ring.
Moreover, even the Aion Y, which advocates large space, lags behind the Galaxy E5 in all aspects of its figure.
A competitor that surpassed the top two in sales, and the determination of the Galaxy E5 to "win" was undoubtedly revealed.
It is worth mentioning that the 2750mm wheelbase of the Galaxy E5 is the same as that of the Zeekrypton X and smart Elf #1.
Counting the A-class electric SUV that Lynk & Co is preparing, Geely Holding Group has brought the "architecture sharing" gameplay to the fullest.
In addition to playing the size advantage, the Galaxy E5 also tries to play the selling point of a "high-value" experience.
The front seats are equipped with 6-way power adjustment, while the high-end version offers further heating, ventilation, massage and memory functions, while the rear seats can also be adjusted in two ways: 30°/35°.
In addition, there are 33 storage spaces in the car, so that small cars can be used with the feeling of spaciousness of large cars.
What's more, the Galaxy E5 will also debut Geely's self-developed "Flymesound Unbounded Sound".
Among them, the industry's first 9.1.6 stereo surround sound layout, which can accommodate up to 27 speakers and rated power up to 2000W.
Such an investment in audio configuration, combined with the Galaxy E5's entry-level compact SUV positioning, can be said to be a bloody investment.
The car can also have a large space, as well as the enjoyment of the over-level configuration, which is probably the high-value proposition of the Galaxy E5.
It is worth mentioning that the Galaxy E5 followed the footsteps of Lynk & Co and adopted the self-developed Dragon Eagle No. 1 chip.
This is the first time that the Galaxy series has used self-developed chips.
The AI computing power is twice that of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155, and the Dragon Eagle No. 1 chip gives the strength that is unyielding.
In addition, the recently launched Yizhen L380 also uses the same chip.
Due to factors such as ensuring supply chain and cost sharing, Geely Holding's brands may gradually bid farewell to Qualcomm and switch to self-developed chips in the future.
On one side, the chip is replaced, and on the other side, the Flyme Auto system is changed.
The Galaxy E5 is the first model in the series to use the Flyme Auto system.
Geely said that in the future, the Galaxy series products can be upgraded to the Flyme Auto system.
It is not difficult to see that Geely is doing the action of resource integration internally.
Li Chuanhai pointed out, "Geely used to play a multi-brand strategy, but this is a product of the development stage, and we are now doing internal collaborative planning."
"We have reached the stage where we can fully integrate these resources into a synergy."
Because of this, the Flyme Auto system will appear more in Geely's brands in the future.
In addition, a few days ago, there was also news that "Geely will integrate its different intelligent driving R&D teams".
Judging from this, the news is not groundless.
In order to cope with the volume of the market, the adjustment actions of each company have been deeply integrated into the internal integration.
Despite this, as long as the game does not determine a winner or loser for a day, the involution will never stop.
In this way, it is also understandable why the Galaxy E5 is preparing an entry-level version with a CLTC range of 440km.
At present, the starting price of the Yuan PLUS Glory Edition, which has a range of 430km, has been as low as 119,800 yuan.
After last year's Galaxy L6 "hard carrying" experience, this time the Galaxy E5 is likely to give a more crisp and powerful price.
Galaxy, can't and won't wait any longer.
Geely has said that it hopes that each product of Galaxy can enter the top three sales in the market segment.
According to statistics in the first five months of this year, the Geely Galaxy series has sold a total of 65,000 units.
The Galaxy series, which has 3 products, still maintains a monthly sales of 10,000+, and there is still a gap between this performance and the goal.
However, there are still 4 models to launch this year, and there are enough cards to play.
It's only a matter of time before sales reach a new level.
Perhaps, the take-off began with the Galaxy E5.