EV Makers Become More Creative as China's EV Demands Decrease, Leading To Peculiar Add-Ons

By Giuliano De Leon

Mar 11, 2024 08:36 AM EDT

China's slowing and decreasing demands force EV manufacturers to become more creative. Because of this, numerous peculiar add-ons are now being offered to attract more buyers.

A staff member stands next to the ROBO-01, an autonomous concept car by Baidu's electric car joint venture Jidu Auto, at Baidu's headquarters in Beijing on September 6, 2022.
(Photo : JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images)

These include drones, in-car gaming, and many more. But will these special features really help increase EV demands in China? Here are the latest details.

China's Decreasing EV Demands Force EV Makers To Become More Creative

China's EV sales from January to February (opening months) have been slow, as reported by Reuters. Industry data revealed this on Friday, Mar. 8.

The slow EV sales also occurred as market leader BYD initiated a deeper round of price deductions, intensifying the competition.

The January-February battery-powered EV sales reached 18.2%, which is lower compared to EV sales in 2023 (20.8%) during the same two-month period.

According to Fortune's latest report, this EV demand slowdown happens as geopolitical tensions with major Western economies affect the export outlook.

Declining consumer spending also plays a crucial role in the decrease in EV sales in China. Due to the slower demand for EVs, carmakers need to be more creative in order to attract more consumers.

Peculiar EV Add-Ons in China

Xpeng Inc. salesperson Wang Binggang explained that while legacy car manufacturers focus on drivability, Chinese carmakers are trying other possibilities.

"We are extending the possibilities to all kinds of living and recreational scenarios, and that's part of the reason why customers love e-cars these days," said Binggang.

Numerous Chinese carmakers are now offering unusual EV add-ons. These include the following:

Drones: Offered by BYD Co., thanks to its partnership with Shenzen-based drone giant DJI.
In-Car Gaming: BYD offers a different kind of in-car gaming experience, thanks to its detachable steering wheel that can be used in conjunction with pedals to play video games.
Sleeping Kits: The Xpeng G9's front and back seats can be flat, thanks to its sleeping kit feature.

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