Geely firmly confronts BYD

Author | Wang Xiaojun

Editor | Zhou Zhiyu

This year, a notable characteristic of the automotive market is that those who embrace hybrid technology will dominate.

At the end of May, BYD launched its fifth-generation hybrid DM-i technology and simultaneously released two new vehicles, with many family models following suit to update to the fifth-generation DM-i. With the support of new technology, BYD sold over 500,000 vehicles in October alone, a mountain that no domestic brand has been able to climb in recent years.

However, BYD's competitors are not willing to fall behind. On the evening of November 4th, Geely unveiled the Galaxy Starship 7, the world's first vehicle equipped with the new generation of Thor EM-i super electric hybrid technology. Interestingly, Geely chose a very fitting location for the vehicle's debut—on the deck of Shanghai Oriental Green Boat.

As an electric hybrid SUV, it is essential to start with the Thor hybrid technology, which is the most significant aspect of this vehicle and a key factor in competing with BYD. The Thor EM-i super electric hybrid technology directly challenges BYD's fifth-generation DM-i technology on multiple indicators.

Currently, the Thor EM super electric hybrid has two major technological systems, including the energy-efficient Thor EM-P super electric hybrid and the ultra-energy-saving Thor EM-i super electric hybrid with extended range.

The Thor EM-P super electric hybrid has been applied in models such as Lynk & Co 07 and 08, receiving positive market feedback, with total sales of these two models exceeding 10,000 units for five consecutive months.

The Thor EM-i super electric hybrid, which debuted on models like the Geely Galaxy Starship 7, has innovated in several technical fields, including hybrid electric drive, efficient combustion, intelligent AI, and redundant safety.

In terms of energy efficiency, this technology has a measured range of 2390.5 km and a fuel consumption of 2.62L per 100 km; compared to BYD's previously released fuel consumption of 2.9L per 100 km with a comprehensive range of 2100 km, it directly competes head-on. Despite being a hybrid system, the new generation technology also aims to achieve lossless electric induction, featuring the world's first carbon-silicon continuously variable voltage module, ensuring that acceleration during low battery does not decline, providing a consistent driving experience whether fully charged or not.

Additionally, this technology is the first to apply AI technology in the power domain. Specifically, it uses Geely's integrated intelligent network as a foundation, leveraging the computing power of Geely's Xingrui Intelligent Computing Center to deploy AI large model prediction and decision-making algorithms, enabling three new experiences: intelligent energy management, intelligent motion control, and intelligent cloud diagnostics.

Apart from the highlighted new electric hybrid technology, this vehicle is equipped with Geely's exclusive Shendun short-blade battery, which has high energy density and safety assurance. In previous experiments, it underwent an "8-needle simultaneous piercing" test without smoking, catching fire, or exploding, achieving a safety level that not only exceeds national standards but also reaches "military-grade" safety standards.

In terms of intelligent cockpit, the Starship 7 is equipped with a three-end seamless integration Flyme Auto intelligent cockpit, and features the only 7.1.2 surround sound system with 16 speakers in its class, Flyme Sound, as well as massage seats that support shoulder, back, waist, and hip massages.

For safety assurance, this vehicle has seven aspects to maintain user safety; it is also the first electric hybrid model equipped with Geely's new global AI intelligent new energy architecture GEA, fully inheriting the eight major high-quality vehicle safety structures of Geely and the Shendun short-blade battery safety system In terms of active safety, this car achieves efficient LDW lane departure warning, FCW forward collision warning, LCA lane change assistance, and RCW rear collision warning functions through the configuration of 1 camera and 2 millimeter-wave radars, establishing a comprehensive 360-degree active safety protection system for the front, sides, and rear.

Since the establishment of the Galaxy brand, multiple models have gained market recognition. Among them, the Geely Galaxy E5 became a hit model upon its launch, delivering over 40,000 units in just 85 days; the Geely Xingyuan also exhibited blockbuster qualities, surpassing 10,000 units delivered in 16 days, setting a record for the fastest delivery speed of A0-class pure electric sedans; this indicates that Geely Galaxy has entered a period of "every model is a blockbuster."

Overall, this car represents Geely's renewed push into the hybrid market and aims to create another blockbuster model in the Galaxy series, directly competing with BYD's popular model Song Plus DM-i.

However, the latter has maintained stable sales of over 20,000 units for a long time. For the Geely Galaxy Xingjian 7 to replace its position in the hybrid SUV market, it must set a highly competitive price. Next, it remains to be seen what price Geely will set for this car