According to local media reports, the re-launch of the Luxeed S7, scheduled for April 8, will introduce new features and significantly improve delivery times, with anticipated monthly sales of approximately 5,000 units.
Luxeed, a collaborative effort between Huawei and Chery in the electric vehicle (EV) realm, is poised to reintroduce its inaugural model, the Luxeed S7 sedan, next month. This move comes in response to earlier criticisms regarding sluggish deliveries following its initial debut.
The Luxeed S7’s re-launch will coincide with enhanced functionalities, facilitated by the activation of new production lines, as detailed in a recent report by local media outlet 36kr. Richard Yu, head of Huawei’s automotive division, unveiled the Luxeed S7 in Shanghai on November 28 of the preceding year, pricing it at RMB 249,800 ($34,700), marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between the tech giant and a domestic automaker.
In the Chinese automotive landscape, the decision to re-introduce a model shortly after its initial release is uncommon and typically necessitates supplementary marketing expenditures. However, for the Luxeed S7, this course of action appears justified. The hurried nature of its initial launch led to notably delayed deliveries, prompting widespread dissatisfaction among consumers.
A report by LatePost on January 25 revealed that Chery’s second manufacturing facility in Wuhu, Anhui province, dedicated to Luxeed S7 production, was still in the trial phase, yielding fewer than 10 vehicles per day.
The Luxeed project has since streamlined its production and organizational processes, relocating the S7 to dedicated production lines within Chery’s newly constructed second super factory, boasting an annual capacity of approximately 500,000 vehicles, as per 36kr’s report. Production of the Luxeed S7 is slated to resume normal operations starting April, as stated by Huawei’s Yu during a presentation at the recent China EV 100 Forum.
Chery’s EH division, responsible for collaborating with Huawei, has optimized its operational structure and is considering a separate location outside Chery’s headquarters to further bolster its autonomy, according to insider sources cited in the report.
The re-launched Luxeed S7 promises a plethora of new features and improved delivery timelines, with an expected monthly sales target of 5,000 units, according to informed sources.
Luxeed’s subsequent model will be an SUV, anticipated for release in July or August, offering extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants, reports 36kr. Unlike the Luxeed S7, which is based on a solely electric platform and missed out on EREV options, this SUV aims to rectify that shortcoming.
Due to the intricate development and validation procedures, the EREV versions of the Luxeed SUV are projected to debut by year-end, the report elucidates. While the Luxeed S7 targets the RMB 250,000 to RMB 350,000 market segment, the introduction of EREV variants for the SUV seeks to bolster overall sales.
