Summary of Key Points
This news article focuses on the reduction of the car development cycle from the traditional 3-5 years to just 2 years or even 18 months. The central debate revolves around whether such “fast-track” cars are actually “efficient vehicles” or merely examples of cutting corners. On one hand, both domestic and international automakers are racing to shorten this cycle (for example, Volkswagen and the three major Japanese companies have adopted Chinese models), improving efficiency through measures such as platform reuse, simulation technology, and enhanced testing. On the other hand, some manufacturers, in order to meet deadlines, skip necessary verifications, leading to quality issues (with the number of recalls by domestic brands increasing by 681% in the first half of the year). They also rely on over-the-air (OTA) updates for untested software, effectively turning consumers into test drivers.
Why Are Automakers Racing to Produce New Cars Faster?
The automotive market is highly competitive, especially in the new energy sector, where technology evolves rapidly and consumer preferences change quickly. Chinese automakers (such as the new entrants) can launch a new car in just 2 years; if multinational companies stick to the traditional 3-5 year schedule, they will fall behind. For instance, the three major Japanese manufacturers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) used to take 50 months to develop a new car, but now they have announced that they want to reduce this to 24-37 months. Volkswagen Anhui’s vehicle “Zhuyong 08” was pre-launched in just 2 years, and the electric car jointly developed by Audi and SAIC was released in 18 months. In short, the faster a company can act, the more market share it can capture; being slower could mean being eliminated.
How Is the Time Saved for Producing Cars in 18 Months?
The traditional car-making process involves four stages: “concept definition → engineering development → testing and verification → mass production.” There are time-saving techniques for each stage, but they do not involve cutting corners:
1. Concept Definition: Using Existing “Building Blocks”
For example, Toyota’s TNGA and Volkswagen’s MQB platforms act like pre-made sets of building blocks, allowing different models to share core components such as the chassis and electric systems, eliminating the need for complete redesign. This is even more feasible in the case of new energy vehicles, where over 80% of parts can be reused from the same platform, potentially saving 1-3 months (according to McKinsey).
2. Engineering Development: Encouraging Early Collaboration and Quick Decision-Making
In the past, the design department would create the drawings first, followed by procurement and manufacturing. Now, procurement and suppliers are involved earlier to ensure that the designs are feasible and cost-effective. Companies also adopt Huawei’s approach of rapid decision-making, reducing layers of bureaucracy. For example, a design change doesn’t require approval from ten departments; it can be decided by key stakeholders. Additionally, computer simulations replace some physical tests (such as crash tests in extreme weather conditions), helping to identify issues early and avoid the unnecessary cycle of building prototypes, discovering problems, and then redoing them.
3. Testing and Verification: Intensive Testing to Compress Time
Traditional testing involves real-road tests over two years; now, manufacturers use specialized test tracks (e.g., bumpy or rough surfaces) that simulate 10-20 kilometers of actual road conditions in just one kilometer. Cars are also tested continuously for 7×24 hours under extreme conditions (high temperature, vibration, etc.) to accelerate the wear and tear process. However, if issues arise that require modifications, they must be resolved within the same production cycle; otherwise, mass production may be delayed or additional tests omitted (which poses a risk).
4. Mass Production: Parallelizing Processes Without Waiting
Traditionally, the production process waited for the verification of temporary molds before moving on to more expensive permanent molds. Now, permanent molds are created based on preliminary results from earlier tests, overlapping these steps. As long as the decisions are correct, this approach saves time. Even if mistakes are made, the cost of modifying the molds is usually lower than the delay in production.
The Debate Over “Fast-Track Cars”: Efficiency or Cut Corners?
The debate is not about the specific time frame (18 months) but whether necessary steps have been skipped:
- Efficient Cars with Proper Procedures: These use established methods and technologies to improve efficiency, such as platform reuse and simulation testing, which represent progress in the industry.
- Risky Cut-Corner Cars: These skip critical tests, relying on consumers to discover issues during use. For example, the significant increase in recalls by domestic brands in the first half of the year was due to insufficient testing; some new models had braking failures that were not detected during trials.
Is OTA a Tool for Adding Features or Just a Cover for Shortcomings?
In the era of software-defined vehicles, automakers can deliver basic functionality and then update it via OTA (over-the-air). This is generally a good practice. However, some companies use OTA as a way to avoid taking responsibility for issues:
- Reasonable OTAs: For example, delivering a car with basic driving features and updating them later via OTA (with consumers’ prior consent).
- Unreasonable OTAs: Some companies leave untested core functions (like CarPlay or remote control) until after delivery, and sometimes the OTA updates themselves are flawed (for instance, the Volkswagen ID.3 had basic functions that were unavailable at launch, requiring manual software updates).
How Can Consumers Tell If a “Fast-Track” Car Is Reliable?
Ordinary consumers don’t need to understand the technical details; they should focus on these three points:
1. Check if the automaker has a mature platform: Companies with established platforms (such as BYD’s e-platform or Geely’s SEA Haohan Platform) use reusable components and have extensive testing data, reducing risks.
2. Look for Public Verification Information: Determine how many kilometers the car has been tested and whether it has undergone extreme weather conditions. If a company only claims to have completed 18 months of testing without providing details, be cautious.
3. Review User Feedback and Recall Records: After a new car is released, check forums and complaint platforms for common issues (such as braking or battery problems), as well as the company’s recent recall history. Frequent recalls indicate potential quality control issues.
In Conclusion
Shortening the development cycle is a positive trend that reflects progress in China’s automotive industry, but it must not come at the expense of quality. Automakers should compete on technology and efficiency, not by passing the cost onto consumers. After all, a car is meant to be used for several years, so safety and reliability are paramount.
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