After a grand conference, Weilai ES8 sounded the clarion call for new vehicle manufacturers to boldly step into the market. On the evening of December 16th, during the launch event of the first NIODay, Li Bin, founder of Weilai Auto, took the stage and unveiled the company’s bold vision for the next three years. The audience was captivated as a series of groundbreaking features were revealed: 4.4-second acceleration, a 100% aluminum body, the "Queen's Car," the AI system NOMI, the NIOPilot autonomous driving assistance, 3-minute battery swapping, mobile charging, an online-offline integrated service model, a completely new NIO House Service Center, the NIOAPP One-Click Service System, the Battery Leasing Program, and more. The event exceeded expectations, with attendees who had initially been skeptical now leaving in awe. The applause and cheers at the price announcement were electric, like a rising wave. Some media outlets even said there were so many highlights that it was hard to keep up. However, just one day after the event, questions began to surface on social media. Was there any hidden risk in the OEM model? Could the ambitious service blueprint be realized? Were the technologies feasible, and could the investment be sustained? Li Bin, who had only managed two hours of sleep after the event, rushed to the first NIO House in East Xintiandi, Beijing, the next morning and spent three hours answering questions from various media outlets. He was clearly well-prepared, familiar with what the press would ask and how to respond. But some doubts still needed to be addressed through actual products and services. Whether Weilai’s bold new path would succeed would take time to prove. Beyond Tesla Weilai introduced its NIOPilot system for automated driving, a key feature in today’s hot auto-pilot trend. The company also developed highly automated battery-swapping technology, demonstrated live during the ES8 event. In addition, Weilai launched the "Mobile Charging Treasure" – a mobile charging vehicle that can charge for 10 minutes and drive 100 kilometers. By 2020, Weilai planned to build over 1,100 charging stations nationwide and deploy more than 1,200 mobile charging vehicles. In terms of sales and service, Weilai abandoned the traditional 4S model. Instead, they introduced NIOHouse and NIOAPP, creating a hybrid online-offline service model. NIOHouse is not just a car showroom; it serves as a lifestyle community offering meeting spaces, reading areas, office facilities, parties, and parenting zones. The company plans to open 10 NIO Houses by 2018, located in landmark buildings across major cities like Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Chengdu. NIOAPP is more than a simple app – it's a smart platform offering car-related services, information, and social features. It aims to build an online community for car owners. Weilai also introduced a mobile valet charging system, allowing users to call service personnel via the app for pickup, charging, or maintenance. Collaborations with JD.com and SF Express enabled express-to-car delivery, where couriers can access the car’s trunk using networking technology. Weilai also offered four lifetime services: free warranty, free car networking, free electricity, and free roadside assistance. After presenting these thoughtful services, Li Bin announced the pricing of the ES8. The base model, before subsidies, was 448,000 yuan, dropping to 375,400 yuan after Beijing’s subsidies. A premium version was priced at 548,000 yuan, reduced to 475,400 yuan after subsidies. To make the price more accessible, Weilai introduced a battery rental program, reducing the car price by 100,000 yuan and charging 1,280 yuan monthly. This brought the Standard Edition down to 275,400 yuan and the Premium Edition to 375,400 yuan, drawing loud cheers from the audience. As the first production model from a new Chinese automaker, the Weilai ES8 redefined the car buying and ownership experience. “Weilai showed us how to combine two major trends—artificial intelligence and charging services—with China’s reality,” said a reporter from the Economic Observer. “It’s a positive move, and their future-oriented products set a benchmark.” OEM and Replacement Model: Not Sustainable? Despite the excitement, doubts remain, especially about the quality of JAC OEM. Many question whether JAC can maintain high standards. JAC has faced criticism for past quality issues, and its performance in passenger vehicles has been underwhelming. As a young startup, Weilai’s partnership with Jianghuai, a long-established state-owned enterprise, raises concerns about quality control and responsibility in case of problems. During an interview, Li Bin emphasized that no single company can handle R&D, manufacturing, and service alone. He urged people not to look at JAC with outdated views, saying, “JAC is a business, and if it works, why not?” However, media and consumers remain skeptical. The battery-swapping model, while innovative, has been tried before with limited success. Tesla once experimented with it, and Better Place, a pioneer in the field, eventually failed. The cost and complexity of building a nationwide network of swap stations are significant challenges. “Weilai knows how difficult it is to establish a station in a first-tier city. How high are the costs? How complex is the technology? The replacement model is expensive and hard to profit from. Can an enterprise afford it?” asked critics. Li Bin responded that Weilai had carefully considered the model and studied others’ mistakes. They aimed to reduce costs and speed up deployment using an internet-based approach. Regarding concerns about queues and demand, he said, “There isn’t that much demand yet. We have time to prepare.” Another big concern is the scale of investment required for NIO Houses, mobile charging, and other services. While Weilai has raised nearly 20 billion yuan, it’s unclear if this will be enough. An industry observer noted, “Weilai is still burning money. Each service center costs millions annually. Even with strong investors, it’s hard to sustain such a model.” Li Bin defended the strategy, stating, “We’re not burning money—we’re investing. With 56 investors, including domestic and international companies, we have solid financial support to build this service system and continue R&D and upgrades.” The ES8, built over three years, is a test of Weilai’s vision. As a new player in the automotive industry, it marks the beginning of a new era. Whether it will change the game remains to be seen, but the entire industry is watching closely.

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