Latest news with #Leapmotor
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Industry group warns Chinese carmakers against aggressive ‘price war' after discount spree, citing market stability concerns
BEIJING, May 31 — A top industry group had a stern rebuke today for automakers fuelling a 'price war', a week after Chinese EV giant BYD announced sweeping trade-in discounts, with multiple competitors following suit. 'Since May 23, a certain automaker has taken the lead in launching a substantial price drop campaign... triggering a new round of 'price war' panic,' the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said in a statement posted to its WeChat account. The group warned that such 'disorderly' competition would 'exacerbate harmful rivalry' and hurt profit. The statement, dated May 30, did not single out any company by name, but on May 23, BYD announced it was offering big trade-in discounts on nearly two dozen makes, offering discounts of up to 34 per cent. Its cheapest model, the smart-driving Seagull, now goes for a starting price of 55,800 yuan (RM33,200), down from 69,800 yuan, with a trade-in. Days later, Stellantis-backed Chinese EV startup Leapmotor announced similar discounts on two 'entry-level' models through June 8. Geely Auto announced Friday limited-time trade-in subsidies for 10 models, with its X3 Pro going for the lowest starting price of 44,900 yuan. But there is growing domestic criticism against what the autos association called 'involution'—a popular tag used to describe the race to outcompete that ends up nowhere. The CEO of China's Great Wall Motor, whose annual revenue was roughly a quarter of BYD's, compared it to the start of China's years-long housing slump triggered by the 2021 default of property giant Evergrande. 'Evergrande in the auto industry already exists,' Wei Jianjun said this month in an interview with Chinese outlet Sina Finance. 'I hope that... all these years of hard work will not go to waste.' Beijing has poured vast state funds into the electric vehicle sector, supporting the development and production of less polluting battery-powered vehicles. But China's automakers association today warned its goliaths to play fair. 'Leading companies must not monopolise the market,' the CAAM statement said. It added that 'with the exception of lawful discounting, companies must not sell products below cost nor engage in misleading advertising'. Such behaviour disrupted the market and harmed both consumer and the industry, it said. An unnamed official from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology added that price wars 'produce no winners and no future', the state-backed Global Times reported today. — AFP
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
I tested 16 cars in a day – there was only one that scored a perfect 10
Driving has always been a way for my mind to relax. I love learning a car and working out where it's strong and where it isn't. So, you can imagine I jumped at the chance to spend a whole day driving a variety of cars at The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)'s annual test day. Over the course of seven and a half hours I drove a total of 16 cars from city cars to super cars, from classics to SUVs. Driving some of these beauties truly brightened up what was a rather dull and overcast day. I've marked all the cars with a score out of 10 – with one hitting full marks. I've marked every single one I tested out of 10 – scroll down to find which vehicle hit the perfect 10. The Leapmotor is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK at the moment. It's a dinky entry into the continuously expanding electric car market. Just like the Skoda, I kept seeing fellow journalists leaping in and out of them, making them one of the two most popular cars on the day, although this could be to do with the fact there were three of them…. Nevertheless, people were queuing up and so I queued with them. On board, it was easy to see why it was so cheap for today's money, but it did at least feel solid. Driving, it's not a Porsche Taycan, but the lack of power meant you needn't worry about approaching a bend too quickly. As you would expect, physics meant it was nimble and easy to manoeuvre. One slight curiosity was the tyres had a cliff of grip, in that once you reached a certain point, the grip disappeared completely without much warning. However, when you're not going very quickly, this doesn't matter so much. Would I buy one? No. I would spend the money on a good second hand petrol car instead which was bigger, more spritely, and could go further. The Leapmotor is more of a left field third or fourth car rather than someone's primary mode of transport. If you're limited to the city, a motorbike or low mileage second hand city car from a bigger, well-known brand is probably a better bet. Speaking of bigger brands – Audi! The German brand was present with personal four-ringed favourite Audi e-Tron GT. I drove one of these last year – because Prince William has one – and found it's steering to be a revelation. Fortunately, the same characteristics had passed into the Launch Edition of the S5 saloon that came with a tasty petrol powerplant. This car, like it's electric cousin, isn't designed for track days or city driving, but storming along the autobahn at…speeds. Still, on Millbrook's alpine handling course it twisted and turned with alacrity and poise. It rode the course's bumps admirably and I felt it would probably appeal to people who both spent their time on motorways and also just like driving in general. A good effort. The Seal, from Chinese company BYD, is one of a new wave of Chinese cars looking to take on the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche at the executive car game. The Seal is part of that arsenal and on the basis of my albeit short time with it, the signs are good. The car is powerful sure, but there's more to it than that. Like almost every other posh car currently on sale in the UK at the moment, it comes with a wall of touch screens. Even though I'm not a personal fan of touch screens replacing buttons, the ones in the Seal were intuitive and easy to use. Once on the move, the ride was refined, the car grippy, and a doddle to drive. Would I have preferred more steering feel? Yes, but that's not the point. The point is that these cars are a serious competitor to European big brands who have dominated this space for decades. Let's see what comes next. I've already touched on the Rocketeer MX5 for another article in the Mirror's motoring section, but writing about it again is hardly a hardship when I have such a soft spot for cars like this. I love restomods, they take a beautiful classic car and give it the convenience (and sometimes power) of a modern car. The Rocketeer MX5 takes a 1990s B-road hero and gives it a fresh six-cylinder powerplant. I was so excited to drive this MX5, it was the first car I drove after the driver's briefing in the morning. Being a convertible, you can revel in that six-cylinder engine note and short-throw gearbox so much more. It's small, it's nimble, it's powerful, it can be made to be as bespoke as you want. It's not mass-market but that's not the point, it's the car industry letting it's hair down, and that can only be a good thing in a market where the public mainly wants SUVs. That isn't to say the big boys from bigger brands can't have a little fan as well. Ford is one of the best at this. They've taken their Ford Mustang electric car and given it some of World Rally Championship treatment. The original car has been given more power, different tyres, different interior, a few more driving modes, and a changed set-up underneath. As a result, this car is nimbler than the vehicle it's based on despite the raised suspension and off-road tyres. I would love to have had the opportunity to take on gravel where it's rally-related modifications would have made it an absolute riot. On tarmac though, it still felt very effective. The Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida is a baby-SUV. It looks like an SUV, but is actually about the same size as a BMW 1 Series. It's small, petrol, and on this particularly overcast day, very red. I decided to test drive it after following one whilst testing another car. Taking the wheel myself, it was clear why the other pilot had decided to do two laps of the alpine course and not just the one. It was simply plain fun, felt light on its feet, had good steering feel, but never felt like it ran out of grip. I wouldn't necessarily buy it as the boot was a bit too small and it could do with being a few centimetres closer to the ground. But there will be people out there who will be taken with t his small hot-ish hatchback. A car I would most certainly recommend you buy if you have the money is the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. A rival to the BYD Seal and Audi S5 above, this would be my pick of the three by far. A powerful six-cylinder engine, rear wheel drive, electric car like throttle response, and Italian charm, what's not to like? I hypermiled one of these from London to Edinburgh and back last year and having the opportunity to not worry about MPG and just enjoy one of Alfa's greatest hits was so liberating. Yes, the German and Chinese cars probably make better financial sense, but there's a charm to the Giulia. It's not naughty, but it's the alternative A24 choice. Some of it might not make sense, but it's not afraid to be open about what it is. It's a four-door Italian stallion of a car that is quite serious, but also very endearing in the way only Alfa Romeos can be. If the Alfa Romeo Giulia is a car you buy with your head, then the Mercedes is a car you buy if you've just won the lottery. At over £100,000, I think this may have been one of the most expensive cars on display. So expensive and precious were the AMG GTs on display that someone from Mercedes came with me as we wound our way around the alpine course and onto Millbrook's high speed bowl where we were limited to a speed of 100mph for safety's sake. As you would expect from a car of this price and spec, it was very plush inside. Rivals for this car include the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin Vantage. Truth be told, this was one of those cars where you would want more time to truly evaluate it, but then again, the same could be said of all of the cars present. As it was, it was lovely experience. The Mini Aceman is a family SUV, the best way to think of it is to see it as an electric version of Mini's already relatively popular Countryman that we're familiar with. What has the Aceman got going for it when you've got 20-30 minutes? Well, it's got short overhangs front and rear that should help with parking and comes with MINI's new interior styling. This interior includes BMW's new chunky steering wheel that also features in the BMW 1 Series. On the road, the MINI is actually really rather fun, keeping up gamely with much sportier cars ahead of it. You wouldn't take it on a track day, but it will hold its own. One slight fly in the ointment was the fact that music kept playing every time I touched the throttle. Interesting on first listen, but after a few weeks and you might start looking for the off switch. Ah yes, the famous BMW 1 Series. For over 10 years, the baby BMW was a rear-wheel drive hatchback. Now, the car is front-wheel drive instead. Despite the change, the car has continued to sell in large numbers and the one we had available had BMW's latest design styling. With a big boot and big seats, the 1 Series makes for an ideal family car on paper, that is if that family doesn't want an SUV. It's not too big either which should help with parking and has very light steering which will make things even easier. On the twists and turns of the alpine course, it was flat, undramatic, and capable as most BMWs often are. The interior is plush, posh, and comfortable, although the chunky and thick steering wheel wasn't to my taste, it probably wouldn't be a purchase defining matter. Another car I was reunited with was the Honda Civic Type R. Considered one of the most effective hot hatchbacks of the modern era, this car has won a significant number of motoring awards. When you get behind the wheel, it's easy to see why. The handling is taught and balanced, the chassis stiff, the gearbox a joy and the engine buzzing with a desire to be let off the leash. What's more, because this is based on a Honda Civic, it's practical too with a big boot, rear seats, and space for family-related objects. It was one of my favourite cars to drive when I had one for a week in 2023, and that assessment hasn't really changed 18 months on. The Hyundai Inster is a curious little car, and not just because its name sounds like slang for a popular social media network (guess which one). It's interesting because it's got early-2000s Fiat 500 vibes about it. When that car was launched, it was lauded for its cool looks, funky interior, charming handling, and small size. These are all characteristics I found in the Hyundai Inster. It's small-ish, it's got memorable aesthetics, a brave interior, and it handles well. Unlike something like the Leapmotor, this feels like it's vying to be somebody's only car, something to rival the Ford Fiestas and VW Polos of this world. Yes, being electric, you might be less likely to take it on incredibly long road trips, but if the UK's charging infrastructure improves, then why not? One car which isn't mass-market is the Alpine A110R. This was one of my favourite cars of the entire day. Just like its Austrian comparator, the Alpine has stiff suspension, a big wing, and you're strapped into it using a four-point racing harness. This is a car through which you feel everything. There's no insulation here, you are flooded with so much information you giggle. It's a raw, enjoyable, thrilling place to be, even when you're pootling out of the carpark. Get going and once everything has warmed up, it is confidence inspiring. You feel alive and happy and confident. It's a car that needs to be worked, it doesn't give you pace on a plate, you have to work for it. What this all means is that when the car is ready, and you are too, it is incredible. Specialised as this car might be, it's incredible. The Ford Explorer is the blue oval's latest attempt at dialling into the electric SUV market. The Explorer is a large and practical box, but a comfortable and well accomplished box, however. On the road it corners flat, comfortably, and grips well. Meanwhile, the interior screens are swift and easy to use and it's got a big boot too. One slight gripe I had however, was the fact there wasn't much leg support in the seats which mean you slid about a bit if you put a bit too much angle into the steering at the wrong moment. The car still felt stuck to the road, but you didn't feel part of the seat. The MG S5 EV is MG's attempt at electric SUV, something the Anglo-Chinese company has become rather good at in recent years. Their latest car is a continuation of that success with a decent range, big boot, and not entirely unforgettable handling. The important thing here is that cars like this are not about the handling necessarily, they're about taking your loved ones from point A to point B safely and without drama. The same applies to the Ford above, they're about making you feel safe and give you plenty of practicality for your money. My only big criticism is that big cars like this need bigger ranges, maybe of up to 400 miles, and more charging facilities. The crowning jewel of the day was the Skoda Felicia convertible. Produced from between 1959 and 1964, I wasn't originally going to drive it. But then I saw others coming back from their drives with massive smiles on their faces. The first thing I was told was that to start it one had to pull out the choke to get it started. The second was just plain strange. Normally in a manual car, first gear is ahead to the left, second is direct behind, third is ahead to the right, fourth behind that and firth ahead to the right etc. In the Skoda, it was literally the opposite. First was where fifth would be, second where sixth lives. In short, instead of going from left to right along the gearbox. On the road, the Skoda was practically charming in the way only cars of a certain age can be. I came back as all the others had, with a massive smile on my face, bobble hat still intact. So, you drive 16 cars and have to decide which one is the best. In truth, there are very few cars here that you can directly compare with the other. You can't compare the MX5 with the Ford or the Mercedes with the MG for example. So, on a purely objective perspective it's hard. But the car which was the most memorable from the day was the Skoda with it's curious gearbox, blue paintwork, a novel driving dynamics.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Is this the craziest marketing ploy by a car maker yet? Chinese EV brand offers free BUNGEE JUMPS
Sometimes marketing a new car takes a little more than just a good product and a strong sales pitch. PR agencies are frequently tasked with coming up with unusual ways to grab attention and sparking interest in models entering the market. And one new Chinese car company has come up with an out of the box plan to introduce its new electric vehicles to UK customers... by offering free bungee jumps to celebrate its launch in the UK next month. It's not the first PR stunt of its kind; over the years we've had everything from formation skydiving to spending half a million on a scale replica of a car made out of baked goods. So where does this latest crazy pitch rank among the most bonkers PR ploys? Here are five marketing stunts by automotive companies that left quite an impression... 1. Leapmotor bungee jumps into the UK market Warning: this is not for the fainthearted. New Chinese EV maker Leapmotor is using an unconventional tactic, linked to a play on words for the brand name, to introduce customers to its arrival in Britain. It will setup a unique pop-up showroom at Coram's Fields in London from 3-4 June where potential buyers can browse its two new cheap battery cars... before throwing themselves off a 160ft-high platform with just nylon-cased rubber bands on their ankles preventing their demise. A wordplay on 'leaping into the unknown', Leapmotor is encouraging potential EV owners to take a 'bold step' into EV ownership while ticking off a 'bucket list thing' by partaking in free bungee jumps on site. It's not a bad deal, too. The experience typically costs £99, so thrill seekers can save a few quid if they want to get involved. Jumps will be available both days from 10am until 5pm - though you can just turn up to take a look at its new £15,995 T03 electric city car and £36,500 C10 SUV while keeping your feet firmly on the ground. It's certainly a sales pitch with a twist that you don't get from your local dealership, with London's skyline providing an 'epic' background for social media-worthy snaps. 2. VW's EV with a difference... How does the Leapmotor stunt compare to other PR efforts? We go back to 2020 for Volkswagen Norway's oddball electric car promotional idea to bolster sales of its ID range, kickstarted that year by the arrival of the ID.3. Bored office workers were given a treat when VW built a one-of-a-kind electric chair with a removable battery, 7.5 miles of range (how big are offices in Scandinavia?!) and a top speed of 12.4mph. Not just a speed machine, the swivel chair had car-like features including a touchscreen display, headlights in the armrests, a rear-view camera and 360-degree parking sensors. Our favourite feature though? The horn. Make an entrance or silence a room - it's dual purpose. Alas Volkswagen's commercial vehicle division in Norway never intended for it to be produced, but limited test drive were available. In 2015 Jaguar sent its new XF saloon along a high-wire over Canary Wharf in the world's longest high-wire journey to prove just how lightweight the car was 3. Jaguar tightropes to work Jaguar went sky high with this PR stunt with a daring feat we're not even sure Tom Cruise would want to try on set for his 115th Mission in Possible movie. To showcase how lightweight the new XF saloon was when it arrived back in 2015 [it was a whole 80kg lighter than its competition, if you really wanted to know] Jaguar sent it along a high-wire above London's Canary Wharf. Supported by two 34mm carbon wires suspended 18 metres above water, the XF's 240 metre journey was the world's longest high-wire effort. Bond stuntman Jim Dowall was in the driver's seat for the three-minute journey [rather him than us] which stunned commuters and the global audience watching online. 4. The Great Skoda Bake Off Before Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood and the hallowed Bake Off tent was a thing, Skoda decided baking was the secret ingredient to high sales. While a commercial rather than a traditional PR stunt, the Czech car maker rose to the advertising occasion by baking a life-size Fabia to promote the second-generation of its supermini. As well as an enormous amount of prep, man hours and technical skill that went into the ad, it was also one of the most expensive cakes ever produced, costing £500,000. However it went on to have millions of views as well as national press coverage, so it just shows you can't beat a good bake. 5. Volvo's extreme crash test We've put this one last because, while it is highly unusual, it is also extremely worthwhile - so it's in a category of its own really. Showcasing its incredibly high safety standards, Swedish car brand Volvo dropped 10 of its cars including the XC40, XC90 SUVs and V60 saloon from a 100ft crane to the rocky ground below back in 2022. Known for its robust approach to safety - Volvo after all invented and mass-marketed the three-point seatbelt - the Scandi carmaker went to unheard of lengths to understand how well its cars can withstand collisions at high speeds. The monumental stunt simulated the forces that erupt as a result of high-speed accidents that can't be replicated in conventional crash-test laboratories. Emergency services were invited to test their extraction skills and to get a better understanding of how to safely remove injured passengers from stricken vehicles. The findings were published in an extensive report free for rescue workers around the world to use. It might have grabbed headlines but most importantly it might have saved lives - hats off to Volvo for this commendable feat.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Parents spend almost £5k keeping 'bored' children entertained
A poll of 2,000 mums and dads with kids aged 17 and under found they'll spend an eye-watering amount of money taking them to theme parks and museums, or going to sports clubs The average parent forks out nearly £4,600 per year to keep each of their children entertained, according to a survey of 2,000 parents with children aged 17 and under. They're likely to spend on outings to theme parks (£124), museum visits (£127), and sports clubs (£455). Additional costs include holiday camps (£136), cinema outings (£143), and toys and games (£152), all contributing to the substantial yearly total. However, 45% find it challenging to keep their children entertained, with a significant 62% feeling pressured to overspend. This pressure might explain why almost all respondents (96%) rely on special offers and discounts to save money. The research was commissioned by electric car manufacturer Leapmotor, which is offering four-year discount passes via Kids Pass, an app that saves families an average of £400 annually on days out, with the purchase of its C10 family SUV. Nearly half (47%) of parents share planning responsibilities with their children, while 39% mostly let their kids decide. A mere 10% of parents make decisions without any input from their children. Those surveyed believe their children's favourite activities away from home include going to the cinema, swimming, and visiting theme parks. Other popular activities are attending birthday parties, dining out, and participating in sports clubs. But 80% of mums and dads prefer activities which will educate their kids in some way. The study also found they typically get inspiration for things to do from friends and family, followed by social media , and TV. On average, those with children of talking age – generally aged three or above – will hear their kids utter those dreaded words "I'm bored" 128 times annually. Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 62% 'always' or 'often' rely on their car to get their kids where they need to be for the purposes of keeping them entertained and those who rely on a car, travel 727 miles a year doing so. Damien Dally, managing director, Leapmotor UK, added: "We understand parents are under constant pressure to find ways to keep their kids entertained. "And our mission is about helping our customers get the best value possible be that from their car or their everyday adventures. We all have fond memories of those family days out traveling in the car." COST OF KEEPING KIDS ENTERTAINED ANNUALLY:. Museum – £126.89 Theme parks – £123.61 Throwing birthday parties – £176.62 Toys and games – £152.43 Clothes and accessories – £211.91 Visiting amusement arcades – £109.38 Visiting holiday camps – £136.26 Videogaming – £128.37 Visiting petting farms or zoos – £103.64 Visiting indoor trampoline or climbing parks – £130.86 Cinema trips – £143.46 Soft play – £122.52 Attending workshops or educational classes – £133.24 Dining out – £193.28 Attending sports clubs or activities – £454.68 Streaming services or subscriptions – £418.44 Attending music or dance classes – £384.36 Visiting swimming pools or leisure centres – £412.80 Day trips (not including museums theme parks, amusement arcades, holiday camps, petting farms or zoos) – £520.80 Books and magazines – £392.28
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit parents spend £4,600 a year keeping kids entertained with theme parks, parties & toys top of the list, survey finds
Scroll down to find out the full list of expenditures by parents YOU'RE KIDDING Brit parents spend £4,600 a year keeping kids entertained with theme parks, parties & toys top of the list, survey finds THE average parent spends almost £4,600 a year per child keeping them entertained. A poll of 2,000 mums and dads with kids aged 17 and under found they'll splash the cash taking them to theme parks (£124), visiting museums (£127), or going to sports clubs (£455), a study has found. 2 Families could save £400 a year on days out thanks to Leapmotor's new partnership with Kids Pass Credit: Alex Morton/PinPep 2 The Kids Pass is now included free with every Leapmotor C10 Credit: Alex Morton/PinPep With holiday camps (£136), cinema trips (£143), and toys and games (£152) also contributing to the hefty annual sum. On average, they'll enjoy around four family trips a month - 45 a year. However, 45 per cent 'struggle' to keep their kids entertained – and as many as 62 per cent feel pressure to spend beyond what they want or can doing so. And this might explain why almost everyone polled (96 per cent) has depended on special offers and coupons to save money. The study was commissioned by electric car brand Leapmotor, which is offering four-year discount passes via Kids Pass, an app which saves families an average of £400 a year on days out, with the purchase of its C10 family SUV. When keeping their kids entertained, it emerged school holidays are when parents feel the squeeze on their finances the most. More than a quarter (26 per cent) consider half-term to be the costliest time of the year in this respect, with the summer (60 per cent) and Christmas (60 per cent) holidays most expensive. Almost half (47 per cent) will split the planning between themselves and their children, while 39 per cent will largely let their kids choose. Just 10 per cent of parents will decide what to do without any say from their kids. Regardless, those polled believe their children's favourite activity to do away from the home is go to the cinema (28 per cent), with swimming (22 per cent) and theme parks (20 per cent) also popular. So to are attending birthday parties (17 per cent), dining out (17 per cent), and going to sports clubs (14 per cent). But 80 per cent of mums and dads prefer pursuits which will educate their kids in some way. The study also found they typically get inspiration for things to do from friends and family (52 per cent), followed by social media (51 per cent), and TV (31 per cent). On average, those with children of talking age – generally aged three or above – will hear their kids utter those dreaded words 'I'm bored' 128 times annually. Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 62 per cent 'always' or 'often' rely on their car to get their kids where they need to be for the purposes keeping them entertained. And those who rely on a car, travel 727 miles a year doing so. Damien Dally, managing director, Leapmotor UK, added: 'We understand parents are under constant pressure to find ways to keep their kids entertained. 'And our mission is about helping our customers get the best value possible be that from their car or their everyday adventures. 'We all have fond memories of those family days out travelling in the car.'
