In China, electric vehicles with built-in refrigerators and even on-board karaoke systems are considered outdated. Instead, automakers are turning to increasingly innovative add-ons, from beds to stovetops, to boost sluggish sales.
Major electric vehicle makers are facing slowing domestic demand as consumers curb spending, just as geopolitical tensions with major Western economies cloud the outlook for exports. Meanwhile, for smaller operators, the ability to think creatively is critical to their survival, with the cutthroat sector bracing for a likely wave of consolidation as China seeks to curb the excesses left behind by years of generous subsidies.
The high-tech offerings also highlight the risk to Western manufacturers if they fall further behind in carving out market share in the world’s largest auto market. Vehicles made in China are seen by local customers as more suited to their broad technological demands and preference for high levels of connectivity.
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“While traditional automakers still focus only on the driveability of a car, Chinese companies are not satisfied with it,” said Wang Binggang, a salesman at Xpeng Inc., at a showroom in central Shanghai. “We’re extending the possibilities to all kinds of living and recreational scenarios, and that’s one of the reasons why customers love electric cars today.”
Here’s a look at some of the unusual deals now available in China:
1. Sleeping kit
Just one click on the in-car display of Xpeng’s G9, an SUV with a starting price of 263,900 yuan ($36,700), and it transforms into a bed that can comfortably accommodate two people.
Drivers who install the so-called sleep kit feature are able to fully position the front and rear seats, then watch as a double-sized air mattress automatically unfolds and inflates. The company is trying to tap into China’s increasingly popular camping culture, but the car could also prove a hit among desk jockeys who endure the country’s notoriously grueling office hours and are looking for a place to nap .
The film was an unexpected savior for some families during February’s Lunar New Year holiday. Long waits at charging stations, traffic jams that lasted for hours and snowstorms that left tens of thousands of motorists stranded across the country saw many in sudden need of a safe place to sleep.
2. Synchronized heartbeat
One of the most notable features of an electric vehicle is the quieter and smoother acceleration compared to a car with a combustion engine. But the downside is that it can cause or worsen motion sickness. And the way an electric vehicle’s brakes work can also increase the feeling of imbalance for some drivers and passengers.
Hangzhou-based Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. says it has solved this problem in its Galaxy E8 electric sedan, which vibrates at 1.25 hertz — the same as the human heartbeat — when the car drives on undulating terrain.
The car, which went on sale Jan. 5 and starts at $24,450, also has a braking system that minimizes the jolting sensation people often notice when they start driving an electric vehicle.
3. Tailgate ready
Li Auto Inc.’s L Series has become one of the most popular SUV lineups in China, offering a spacious interior, extended range capability and in-seat massagers. While this has seen a boom in sales, it has also given rise to challengers looking to make their mark among the country’s middle-class families.
Among them is Rox Motor Tech, a startup founded in 2021 by the founder of a robot vacuum cleaner, which is trying to win over lovers of the outdoors. Its first production model, the Polestones 01, includes a rear-mounted camping-style kitchen with induction hob and water dispenser.
It also has a sunroof that attaches to the roof, which the automaker says can be assembled, or disassembled and stored, in minutes. The car costs $48,700.
4. Drones
BYD Co., the world’s largest electric vehicle maker, is trying to make its $153,000 premium Yangwang U8 more appealing to tech enthusiasts.
Its partnership with Shenzhen-based drone giant DJI allows a small craft to launch and land on a roof-mounted retractable housing, and can even return to the dock once the car reaches its final destination. Movements are controlled by the car’s screen, and an integrated system can charge the drone’s three batteries and swap cells when the charge runs out.
The drone is programmed to follow the car’s path and capture high-definition images. This allows drivers to get real-time aerial views of their surroundings, while they can also produce short videos on the car’s screen.
5. Car games
In-car gaming is an increasingly widespread offering. Tesla Inc. added the Steam video game platform to its system in 2022, while Li Auto allows drivers and passengers to connect their Nintendo Co.’s Switch to the car’s system.
BYD has gone one step further. Its redesigned steering wheel can be detached, allowing drivers to use it in conjunction with the car’s pedals to play video games on the car’s display.
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While the technology has proven popular, it has also given rise to concerns that it is distracting and could cause crashes. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year closed an investigation into Tesla’s in-vehicle gaming functionality after the automaker disabled the “Passenger Play” feature.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have implemented restrictions, including allowing games to be played only when the car is stationary and with the engine turned off.
What’s next?
The best, or weirdest, is yet to come.
Geely and its electric vehicle brand Zeekr have applied for a patent for a vehicle-mounted fishing system that includes a fishing line and hook. Location sensors on the car will provide the driver with information about the depth and range of nearby bodies of water, as well as historical data to help determine the best fishing spot. One device will allow for longer, more precise casts, and when a fish takes the bait, the vehicle will reel it in.
Meanwhile, SAIC Corp.’s IM Motors has filed an intellectual property application for an in-car plant care system, which will collect rain from the roof and water generated by the vehicle’s cooling system. The software will recognize different varieties of plants and calculate the best times and volume of water to support them.
These ambitions signal that automakers’ emphasis on innovation will continue even in the face of an uncertain outlook for consumer demand.
“In the era of electric vehicles, China is trying to redefine premium,” said Bill Russo, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility. “You might come up with some really off-the-wall ideas, but that’s what experimentation is all about.”
— With assistance from Charlie Zhu, Chunying Zhang, Linda Lew, and Danny Lee