Specialist
Former Manger at SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co Ltd
Agenda
- Competitive landscape of China’s SUV brands, including JV brands and Chinese domestic brands’ relative competencies
- Vehicle model development process of JV brands, plus marketing positioning, design ideas and concepts of different brands
- Product competitiveness of Volkswagen Tiguan, plus potential vehicle model planning and development strategies of German automotive brands
- Auto manufacturers’ budget management and cost control process
Questions
1.
What are the major impacts of the novel coronavirus outbreak on the resumption of production and sales of auto manufacturers? What countermeasures will auto manufacturers take?
2.
You mentioned that the inventory turnover of passenger vehicles was 1.33 at the end of last year, but some popular models were out of stock. In 2019, Lexus raised prices even though the industry was gloomy. What do you think of the differentiation in sales last year? Why could some auto brands raise prices though they had a small stock? Why was the sales volume of some brands small even though they had a large stock?
3.
You said that the whole industry is declining and hasn’t hit the bottom even without the coronavirus. Without regard to the epidemic, when do you think the industry will bottom out?
4.
According to your previous forecast, the industry may register slow growth or zero growth in the next 2-3 years. There may be some differences in the growth trends of different market segments, such as the saloon market and the SUV market, as well as between JV brands and Chinese domestic brands. Can you elaborate on that?
5.
What is your estimate of the future price trend of SUVs?
6.
If the price of SUVs tends to drop, their cost performance is supposed to be higher than that of saloons. Such being the case, how come the market share of saloons almost hits a ceiling? Is it because SUVs grab the market share of saloons?
7.
How is the average profit margin of SUVs compared with that of saloons? Is there any difference in the respect among Chinese domestic brands?
8.
In late 2019, the auto shows and the plans of auto manufacturers signalled the booming development of the SUVs of both JV brands and Chinese domestic brands. Looking ahead to the coming three years from 2020 to 2022, which brands do you think will perform the best in the development of SUVs?
9.
Previously you said Volkswagen has relatively complete production lines. Could you introduce the positioning and competitors of the various SUVs of SAIC Volkswagen?
10.
Why do you deem the Tiguan as a competitive product? What is needed to develop a profitable product?
11.
You talked about the vehicle models and market positioning of four SUV brands. What do you think are their strategies in vehicle model planning and pricing? Which price range will be more popular? Which vehicle model has the highest development potential?
12.
You mentioned earlier that in your opinion, the price of SUVs will further decline. Taking Tiguan for example, what do you think of the price dynamics in the future?
13.
Comparing the whole R&D processes and design ideas of JV brands and Chinese domestic brands, how do you assess the competitive competency of an auto manufacturer in terms of the R&D and design?
14.
How do auto manufacturers reduce the overall cost through budget management and cost control?
15.
Taking the R&D strength, cost control and R&D efficiency all into consideration, what do you think of the comprehensive competences of domestic auto manufacturers such as SAIC Motor, GAC, GWM and Geely?
16.
At the end of last year, SAIC Motor and GAC signed a cooperation agreement. What do you think of the cooperation between two auto manufacturers?
17.
What do you think of the sales growth of SAIC Volkswagen, SAIC-GM and SAIC Motor this year?
