Pre-sale of New IM L6 Launches, Line-controlled Chassis Standard, Exec: Price Right, Sales Will Follow Naturally

"I admit the top concentration effect in this segmented market is very obvious, this must be faced squarely." During the post-pre-sale media group interview for the new generation IM L6 on the evening of August 18, IM Automotive Vice General Manager Xu Yin described the current competitive landscape of the large and mid-size new energy sedan market. This is also Xu Yin's first time facing the media with a new identity after being transferred back from Thailand.

As Xu Yin said, only 3 cars in the large and mid-size new energy sedan market sold over 5,000 units in July. Among them, Xiaomi SU7 led by a large margin with monthly sales of over 20,000 units; the second-ranked Shangjie Z7/Z7T sold 9,142 units; followed by Denza Z9GT with monthly sales of 5,344 units.

On the evening of that day, the new generation IM L6 started pre-sale, launching Max, Pro Max, and Ultra three standard versions, with pre-sale rights price starting from 219,900 yuan to 269,900 yuan. In addition, the new generation IM L6 Prof. Jimmy Choo Haute Couture Limited Edition also went on sale simultaneously, offering two battery configurations of 76kWh and 93kWh, with pre-sale rights prices of 234,900 yuan and 249,900 yuan respectively, with 1,000 seats opened in the first batch.

"Honest Configuration Pricing, Sales Will Follow Naturally"

Xu Yin described the new generation IM L6 as "having no weak points, only strong points, and the strong points are very prominent". This car did not make major changes in appearance design, and upgrades mainly focus on comprehensive innovation in chassis, three-electric systems, and intelligence.

First, the new generation IM L6 comes standard with a full line-controlled chassis. This is also the only car in the 200,000-yuan class sedan that has this feature, which was previously only available on models above 300,000 yuan. This chassis integrates full line-controlled steering, large angle line-controlled rear-wheel steering, and Continental Germany MKC2 line-controlled brakes, equipped with triple safety redundancy; the steering wheel reaches full lock in half a turn, combined with bi-directional 18-degree four-wheel steering, U-turns on narrow roads and parking in narrow spaces can be completed in one go.

The three-electric system is also comprehensively refreshed. The new generation IM L6 is equipped with SAIC's new NEO three-electric architecture, equipped with CATL 93kWh battery, energy consumption as low as 11.6kWh per 100km; CLTC range 850km; relying on the all-domain 800V platform, supports 396kW ultra-fast charging, 15 minutes can replenish 580km, and compatible with over 90% of charging piles on the market. In terms of performance, the new generation IM L6 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 2.74 seconds, braking distance of 100km/h is 33 meters.

In terms of intelligence, IM collaborated with Momenta to develop the IM AD intelligent driving system; at the same time equipped with IM Ultra Agent, can complete complex itinerary planning and real-time adjustments such as multi-point pickup and convenient stops via voice. In addition, the new generation IM L6 also comes standard with Danish B&O audio, instant sense smart control sunshading sky canopy, 5.7L warm and cold smart refrigerator, space chairs, etc. Especially the Danish B&O audio, Jiao Qiao emphasized, this configuration discussion continued until the pre-sale approaching stage, finally decided to standardize despite cost pressure.

"As for sales expectations, I am now more concerned about: whether consumers are satisfied with every detail we present, whether dealer service capabilities are improving, and whether every user who gets the car genuinely recognizes it. If all these can be achieved, with such great sincerity, so many configurations, and such competitive prices, sales will naturally follow." Xu Yin said. Although no clear sales figures were given, from this description, he is still confident in the market performance of the new generation IM L6.

L6 is a "Canvas", Jimmy Choo Collaboration Breaks Circles

"Don't just talk about parameters, such as 2.74 seconds, 800 volts, 850 kilometers, but think more about what emotional value can be provided to users." Xu Yin proposed, why does the heat of some cars drop after selling for two or three months? The reason is that the product does not change, but consumer aesthetics and taste are changing. "If you can't keep up, you will be neglected." Xu Yin said.

IM Brand and User Senior Director Jiao Qiao further described L6 as a "canvas". He believes that on the basis of L6's original design and technical foundation, cars can have more possibilities and attract different users through different co-branding and collaborations. This new generation IM co-released Prof. Jimmy Choo Haute Couture Limited Edition is the co-branded design between IM and British Royal Honorary Chinese Designer Prof. Jimmy Choo (Zhou Yangjie).

In the movie "Love Myth", a shoe cobbler said "Every woman needs at least one pair of Jimmy Choo in her lifetime". In the new generation IM L6 Prof. Jimmy Choo Haute Couture Limited Edition, design elements such as star-radiant crystal glass fittings, "Haute Couture Blue" silk-feel pearlescent leather, soft-light mother-of-pearl trim panels, etc., are integrated, and the rear tail also has Prof. Jimmy Choo's handwritten signature logo. In addition, placing an order for this version of the model also gifts exclusive rights such as high-end footwear.

Xu Yin summarized this collaboration with three words: Style, Break the Circle, Resonate at the Same Frequency. "Currently the automotive market homogenization is serious, the audience circles of most models are relatively fixed, brands and products are easily limited within existing circles." Xu Yin stated, this collaboration with Jimmy Choo is an important attempt for IM to break the circle. Currently, the communication linkage with fashion media such as Vogue has successfully let IM L6 jump out of the automotive circle, into the public fashion vision, achieving the initial plan.

When describing the new generation IM L6, Jiao Qiao mentioned the phrase "Not For Everyone" many times. This phrase translated is "Not suitable for everyone". Jiao Qiao explained: "This is not that we don't want to sell cars, but this car indeed represents unique personality. We believe a car cannot express everyone's character at the same time, but can do it one by one."

It is reported that at the Chengdu Auto Show, IM will also launch an IM L6 with a completely different style with Chinese tuner master Sean Lee (Li Hongsheng), emphasizing handling performance and driving texture more. "We hope to cover a wider range of people with hardcore driving control experience while maintaining the high aesthetic and style of this car, to please both men and women." Xu Yin said.

Increase Sales, Focus on Pure Electric + Overseas Market

"Coming back to domestic for these two months, I felt the intensity of the Chinese market deeply." Xu Yin shared a set of domestic market data that "shocked" himself: First, 527 new cars were released in the Chinese market in the first half year; the entire market dropped by 20% from January to July. Under this situation, Xu Yin admitted that IM brand indeed has "sales pressure for the whole year".

At the same time, Xu Yin also saw the opportunity. "The pure electric market is growing, the decline is mainly in the range-extended and fuel markets. This fits exactly the release rhythm of the three new generations of pure electric vehicles we started today in the second half of the year. Our idea is to actively respond to market changes and put our best pure electric products into competition." Xu Yin said.

According to the plan, in August, IM will launch the new generation IM L6; in September, the new generation LS6 will be launched, with significant improvements in three-electric systems, chassis, AI Agent, and comfort configurations; in October, the LS8 pure electric version will be launched. "Although the market overall is falling, but our direction is very clear: First, on products, the pure electric market is still rising, we go with the flow; Second, on terminal service capability, I hope every user is satisfied when mentioning our car. Once users are satisfied, sales will be a matter of course." Xu Yin said.

"Going overseas is a topic that cannot be avoided now. Just like domestic cannot avoid intelligent driving, going overseas is a strategic direction that all OEMs must face, IM is no exception." Xu Yin stated, IM's layout overseas will accelerate, this is an "undoubted direction". It is reported that currently IM Co-CEO Liu Tao is specially responsible for overseas business operations, focusing on the European market, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand are also being developed simultaneously. According to the plan, next LS8 will also go overseas, may launch left-hand drive and right-hand drive versions, power forms mainly pure electric, some markets will also consider launching range-extended versions.