Sunday China Drive | The Jiyue 07: A Catalyst for Worry or a Scapegoat for Decline?

Unanticipatedly, Jiyue Auto, bolstered by Geely and Baidu, found itself on the brink of collapse following a financial crisis marked by unpaid employee wages, factory closures, and supply chain disruptions. In November, Jiyue 01 and Jiyue 07 reported a total of 902 and 1,030 units sold, respectively, bringing their combined cumulative sales to approximately 14,000 units since their launch.

The most crushing blow from Jiyue’s collapse is the Robo X hypercar, unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show, will forever remain a concept car. The Robo-X was initially planned to debut in 2027.

Rumblings of concern surround the rise of Chinese live-streaming platforms touting the Jiyue 07 at significantly reduced prices, ranging from 19,800 to 29,800 yuan ($2,710 to $4,080), sparking questions about their authenticity? While Jiyue officials insist they’re not involved, sparking uncertainty, disparate reports about the company’s reputation have sparked concerns among potential customers.

We previously reviewed the Jiyue 07, featuring its key specifications. Was the car directly responsible for Jiyue’s downfall?

The Jiyue 07 boasts a sleek, minimalist design that perfectly encapsulates its forward-thinking vision, projecting a sense of futuristic sophistication. Measuring an impressive 4.95 meters in length, with a width of 1.99 meters and a wheelbase stretching 3.01 meters, this vehicle confidently carves out its space within the competitive C-segment. Its minimalist design philosophy prioritizes simplicity, featuring sleek surfaces and integrated LED lighting elements.

The automobile’s entrance features a sleek, flat headlight design, accompanied by an innovative interactive lighting system, which lends it a cutting-edge and modern appearance. The sleek silhouette of the aspect profile is defined by refined Venus-inspired curves and discreetly integrated B-pillars, creating a sense of unobstructed elegance. This sleek design element provides a sporty flourish to the vehicle, as its low drag coefficient of merely 0.198 underscores its focus on both aesthetics and aerodynamic efficiency.

The Jiyue 07 presents a cutting-edge, luxurious aura. At the heart of the cabin lies a massive 36.5-inch touchscreen, seamlessly integrating infotainment and driver information in a manner reminiscent of the Geely Galaxy E8’s prominent display. Powered by Baidu’s Apollo autonomous driving platform in tandem with the Snapdragon 8295P chipset, this display boasts a synergy of cleanliness and dependability. The vehicle also features a sophisticated voice assistant that enables seamless interaction, boasting a “what you see is what you say” functionality that facilitates straightforward commands.

The interior’s supply of high-quality metals and ambient lighting harmoniously combine to create an upscale atmosphere. The Jiyue 07’s innovative approach to gear selection is underscored by its departure from traditional gear shifters, instead incorporating a cutting-edge touchscreen interface that enables seamless gear choice. While some may find this feature unorthodox, its sleek, modern aesthetic seamlessly integrates with the vehicle’s avant-garde design philosophy. The vehicle’s ergonomically designed seating provides robust support, while its extended wheelbase translates to generous legroom, thereby elevating passenger comfort. The integration of modern alternatives to traditional door handles, such as button-operated mechanisms, in conjunction with advanced computerized door closure systems that automatically engage upon deceleration, significantly enhances the overall driving experience with a futuristic and intuitive flair.

During our test drive, the Jiyue 07 showcased impressive handling on twisty mountain roads, delivering a spirited and comfortable driving experience. The automotive’s sophisticated suspension system effectively mitigated the impact of potholes and other road irregularities, ensuring a smooth ride for all occupants.

Continentals’ tires provide a vehicle with confident handling, delivering excellent traction and steadiness. The regenerative braking system significantly enhances driver expertise by efficiently recovering energy, providing a crisp, intuitive braking experience. Drivers can fine-tune the braking performance to suit their individual tastes, offering an added layer of personalization in their driving experience. Under combined driving conditions, the vehicle’s energy consumption averaged 18 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers, consistent with its estimated maximum range of approximately 600 kilometers.

Due to its innovative dual-motor setup, the Jiyue 07 impresses with exceptional energy efficiency. At an impressive 3.5 seconds to reach 0-100 kph, this electric vehicle is an attractive option for buyers seeking top-tier performance within the C-segment. The automobile derives considerable benefits from its well-honed chassis, rooted in Geely’s scalable architecture platform (SEA), wherein a delicate balance is struck between agile handling and luxurious refinement.

In a fiercely competitive market where well-established players and newcomers like Xiaomi hold sway, the Jiyue 07 embarked on an ambitious journey. While its cutting-edge design, unparalleled expertise, and premium performance capabilities render it captivating, unfortunately, it failed to leave a lasting impression in China’s competitive market. Jiyue faces significant obstacles in the form of difficulties recognising models, financial instability and operational challenges that pose considerable barriers. Despite the corporate title being named “Jiyue”, it is still often mistakenly associated with “Zeekr” within the Chinese-speaking community. Each company’s name begins with the Chinese characters “” (jí) meaning “excessive”, followed by a unique combination of two Chinese characters. Geely supports every Jiyue and Zeekr venture.

Despite backing from Geely and Baidu, Jiyue’s financial difficulties have overshadowed its aspirations in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The company’s reputation has been tarnished by allegations of unpaid salaries, dissolved partnerships, and a surplus of unsold vehicles (the Jiyue 01 and 07 models). Furthermore, it has attempted to boost car sales through unconventional means by pricing them significantly below market value, raising concerns about its credibility. On the identical worth section, automobile patrons can choose the favored Xiaomi SU7, Zeekr 007, Lynk & Co Z10, and even the cheaper Mazda EZ-6 with related dimensions.