The recent developments in the automotive market have been quite exciting, with the release of the Honor Editions for models like the Qin PLUS and the Tang 05. Now, the Dolphin Honor Edition has joined the fray, with a price range of 99,800 to 129,800 CNY. Some are hailing the Dolphin Honor Edition as the ultimate game-changer in the A0 segment gasoline cars, making it a no-brainer choice even for novice buyers. But what exactly sets the Dolphin Honor Edition apart?
First, let's take a look at the differences between the Dolphin Glory Edition and the current Champion Edition.
Firstly, the charging port for the front row in the entire series has been upgraded to a Type-C interface with 60W fast charging, while the front row wireless charging configuration has been upgraded to 50W.
Secondly, the entire series has been upgraded to a rear four-link suspension.
Thirdly, the steering wheel across the entire series has been upgraded to a 4-way manual adjustment.
Fourthly, a rear trunk cover board has been added to the entire series.
Fifthly, the high-end models of the Fashion Edition and above now feature ventilated front seats and privacy glass has been added to the rear seats.
It's evident that the Dolphin Glory edition comes with quite a few upgrades, which can be seen as adding more value without increasing the price. With BYD in the mix, buying any car is becoming more affordable. However, some people online are saying that the 9,980 CNY Dolphin lacks sincerity. Why is that? To cut to the chase, the editor feels that this criticism is a bit nitpicky.
Priced at 9,980 CNY, the Vitality edition essentially maintains the basic configuration of previous entry-level models. The upgrades mentioned earlier for the Glory edition are not included in the 998 model, with the most crucial aspect being its range of only 302 km. However, its price is still quite reasonable, making the entry-level model at 998 CNY worthy of acknowledgment.
The reason behind this sentiment stems from the pricing adjustment of the Qin PLUS Honor Edition, which saw a sudden decrease of 20,000 CNY. This led many to anticipate a similar reduction of 10,000 to 20,000 CNY for the Dolphin Honor Edition. However, the Freedom Edition and Fashion Edition only dropped by 4,000 CNY, which understandably left some feeling disappointed.
Furthermore, while the Qin PLUS and Destroyer 05 Honor Editions essentially maintained their configurations, the Dolphin Honor Edition upgraded its suspension system, which is a significant enhancement despite being less noticeable to many consumers. This also contributes to the perception among users that the price reduction for this model was relatively modest.
If you're on a tight budget and looking for a new energy-efficient car for commuting, consider opting for the Seagull. While the Dolphin boasts some space advantages, they're not significantly different from the Seagull, which starts at just 73,800 RMB for the 302km version.
The introduction of the 302km Glory Edition may impact Seagull's sales downward and potentially stir some interest from Volkswagen ID.3 buyers, but it's something to keep an eye on. Currently, the Dolphin doesn't have a strong competitor, and even with the Glory Edition on the market, overall sales are likely to remain strong.
Postscript
Given the current trend, it's inevitable that BYD will roll out more Honor Edition cars. Undoubtedly, this price war will significantly enhance BYD's market influence, making it possible for them to seize dominance and pricing power in the domestic automotive market. Surprisingly, it's Xiaomi's car venture led by Lei Jun that's taking the biggest hit. Who would have thought, the automotive industry is even more unpredictable than the smartphone arena, pricing strategies indeed pose a headache!
