So, not a single unit sold for a car priced at 350,000 RMB?
In response to rumors of "zero sales in January," the new player in the market, Extreme Rock Motors, has officially issued a statement and, for the first time, disclosed the monthly sales figures for the Extreme Rock 01.
The Jishi 01, currently the only model from Jishi Motors, began deliveries in November 2023. Positioned for both family and off-road adventures, it's dubbed as the "Dad's SUV" by enthusiasts. Apart from its widescreen TV and plush sofa, it comes with a built-in kitchenette, starting at $349,900.
Upon its release, it sparked discussions due to its defined target market and its association with its founder, Chang Jing, a serial entrepreneur who also chairs the board of StoneTech, a successful robotic vacuum company.
However, there were debates regarding whether this vehicle could match the popularity of the ideal "Dad's SUV" at the time of its launch.
Responding to these speculations, Jishi not only provided sales figures but also bolstered external confidence through capital infusion via registrations.
Moreover, on the technical front, Jishi publicly disclosed a patent related to pivot turns—a feature previously prominent in the Bydewang U8, a million-dollar SUV under the BYD brand.
Jishi Motors Reveals Delivery and Sales Figures
Jishi Motors refuted rumors of zero sales in January through an official statement:
The statement is not brief, but it essentially communicates the following:
The claim of "zero sales in January" is false. The company is operating normally, and it has disclosed the sales data for the first time, emphasizing that it is not pursuing blind expansion but actively exploring international markets. It opposes attacks based solely on sales figures and instead seeks a cautious and steady operating style.
The most important and noteworthy point is that Jishi (极石) has disclosed its sales data for the first time.
Since deliveries began in November last year, Jishi has sold a total of 2,357 vehicles, with actual sales of 855 vehicles in January this year.
There was a slight decline in February, with sales of 552 vehicles, which Jishi attributes to the extended Chinese New Year holiday.
While the sales figures are not high, the rumor of "zero sales" is indeed unfounded.
How did the rumor start?
Previously, due to unknown reasons, a certain platform had issues with its data regarding Jishi vehicles. While sales for other months were relatively normal, the January data showed zero sales.
As a result, the rumor that "Jishi had zero sales in January" began circulating on the internet.
Ji Stone had to put out a statement to debunk rumors and vowed to continue fighting against deliberate attempts to tarnish the brand.
On the same day Ji Stone issued the statement to refute rumors, its parent company, Luo Ke Intelligent, also increased its registered capital from 14.5 billion CNY to 15.5 billion CNY, demonstrating a dual effort to boost confidence from the public.
Since its debut on the market, Ji Stone Motors has been known for its low-key approach.
On one hand, being relatively new to the scene and with its first model, the Ji Stone 01, priced high and targeted at a niche market of "off-road dad cars," it naturally hasn't garnered widespread attention. Some even dub it as the "most mysterious new player in the car manufacturing industry."
But what's the real story behind it?
So, who exactly is Ji Stone Motors?
As of now, Ji Stone Motors has only unveiled one model, the Ji Stone 01, a "off-road dad car" with a length exceeding 5 meters. Inside, it boasts features like a large screen TV and a sofa, while the rear door can even be equipped with a "kitchen system."
The vehicle utilizes extended-range power, equipped with a 56 kWh battery from CATL, enabling a pure electric range of 235 km under WLTC conditions and a comprehensive range of 1115 km.
There are two models available for selection: a seven-seater version priced at 349,900 RMB and a six-seater version priced at 359,900 RMB.
Adding an extra $30,000, you can opt for the Advanced Driver Assistance Package provided by Xiao Ma Intelligent Driving:
Equipped with dual Orin-X chips from NVIDIA, 3 LiDARs, 12 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 5 millimeter-wave radars, it can achieve urban NOA (Navigate on Autopilot).
Overall, the Jishi 01 is an off-road vehicle with a practical family-oriented design, boasting impressive intelligent features on paper.
Its creator, Chang Jing, is also a hardcore off-road enthusiast and relatively new player in the automotive manufacturing field, but a star in the field of robotic vacuum cleaners, jokingly dubbed as the "sweeping monk".
His company, Stone Technology, achieved the highest sales volume in the robotic vacuum cleaner industry and successfully went public at the end of 2020.
The following year, Chang Jing founded Luo Ke Intelligent, which is the parent company of Jishi.
Changjing keeps a low profile, and there hasn't been much coverage on Jishi and Luoke Intelligent before. The last time they garnered widespread attention was due to a significant financing deal.
In late September last year, Luoke Intelligent announced a strategic investment of $1 billion from Weiqiao Pioneering Group, one of the world's largest aluminum producers.
The latest post-investment valuation is currently unknown, but according to Qichacha, the previous valuation of JiShi has exceeded $3 billion, which is approximately 21.56 billion RMB.
Qichacha retrieved an interesting recent patent published by JiShi:
A method and control device for turning a vehicle around in place, which avoids the shift in the vehicle's center of gravity during turning, thereby reducing the risk of loss of control.
Maybe the upcoming models from Ji Stone, like the "In-place Turnaround," will catch on. If you're considering buying one, it might be a good idea to check out the feedback from the brand's first batch of owners.
Let's start with the positive reviews. The aspect most praised by current owners is the vehicle's aesthetics and practicality.
Firstly, regarding its appearance, many owners find the Ji Stone 01 to be rugged and stylish.
In terms of practicality, when the seats are folded down, it can form a large bed. This means on road trips during holidays, you're saving on accommodation costs. Plus, the rear door features a kitchen system, allowing you to cook your meals, making outdoor camping very comfortable.
Furthermore, it's a plug-in hybrid, offering faster acceleration than conventional fuel-powered cars and eliminating range anxiety.
Furthermore, many car owners have pointed out shortcomings such as the sound system quality, issues with door insulation, and the need to upgrade the car's infotainment chip to 8295.
Many owners have also expressed concerns regarding the challenges facing Jishi in the market, noting that the company entered the game late and its debut model is not priced competitively.
In the current "price war" landscape, how Jishi continues to play its cards to achieve sales growth is crucial.
Overall, feedback from car owners indicates satisfaction with the Jishi 01. As a versatile SUV, it's suitable for both off-roading and daily use, offering a unique appeal compared to traditional SUVs, particularly appealing to camping and road trip enthusiasts. However, some finer details in manufacturing need improvement for Jishi to establish itself further as a new player in the market.
Moreover, amidst intense competition, how Jishi plans to sustain growth and operate in the long term is a major concern for many car owners.
