This year, Changan's performance in the passenger vehicle market has been lackluster. Whether it’s the popular CS75 model or the premium CS95, they haven't delivered results that satisfy the manufacturers. If Changan Automobile hopes to claim the title of sales champion this year, the upcoming CS55 and Ruiqi CC models need to deliver. However, based on recent research, it seems unlikely that the newly launched CS55 will make a significant impact.
Design has always been Changan's Achilles' heel. Take the CS95 as an example. Despite its larger size compared to the GS8 and superior driving quality, it struggles to sell well. The primary issue lies in its design. The "Changan-style" grille is outdated, and the overall appearance borrows heavily from luxury brands like Land Rover and Ford, leading to ridicule among consumers. With the CS55, there hasn’t been much improvement. It retains the same grille design and body lines reminiscent of the Discovery series. Additionally, the interior raises concerns about originality. The dashboard design appears strikingly similar to another brand, raising questions about Changan’s commitment to research and development, especially when they claim to invest 5% of their annual revenue into R&D.
When it comes to dimensions, the CS55 measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, and 1,690 mm in height. Its closest competitors seem to be Haval M6 and Geely Vision SUV. The Haval M6 boasts dimensions of 4,649 mm, 1,830 mm, and 1,705 mm, offering a slight edge over the CS55 in terms of size. The seating space within the CS55 also falls short. Meanwhile, the Geely Vision SUV, priced at a lower starting point of 74,900 yuan, offers better value for money.
In terms of pricing, the CS55’s pre-sale price of 98,000 yuan not only lacks an edge against competitors but also positions it higher than its own larger sibling, the CS75, whose lowest trim has dropped to 79,800 yuan. This raises doubts about why anyone would opt for a smaller SUV at a higher price.
The engine department sees little innovation as well. While the CS55 uses the same 1.5T engine as the CS75, there are noticeable differences in specifications. A quick glance at the comparison chart highlights these distinctions.
Moving onto configurations, the CS55 offers seven models—four manual and three automatic. The manual transmission variants, which are expected to drive sales, come with just two airbags, no panoramic sunroof, and no keyless entry/start system. These features put the CS55 at a disadvantage compared to the CS75, which offers better value across its lineup.
To conclude, with pricing, size, and design failing to offer any distinct advantages, the CS55’s reliance on configuration alone to penetrate the market seems misplaced. Playing the configuration card hasn’t proven to be a reliable path for Chinese automakers. Therefore, for the CS55, there’s still a long journey ahead.
In my opinion, Changan needs to rethink its strategy. They must focus on enhancing their design, improving value-for-money offerings, and ensuring competitive pricing. Without addressing these core issues, the CS55 may struggle to find its footing in the increasingly competitive SUV segment.
Vacuum Furnace Insulation Board
Vacuum Furnace Insulation Board,Carbon Fiber Surface Felt,Vacuum Furnace Insulation Barrel,High Pressure Carbon Fiber Insulation Material
HuNan MTR New Material Technology Co.,Ltd , https://www.hnmtr.com