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    Denza D9 Roars into China’s Minivan Market with 30,000 Sales in 2 Months, Challenging Alphard Dominance

    Will it beat Alphard?”Similar grille design? The new “”Denza D9″” is a hot topic! The Heating Minivan Market: What’s Happening in China?The Denza D9, a pure electric minivan, is a hot topic in China.There is a joint venture company created by BYD, which will become a Chinese automaker, and the former Daimler, which operates Mercedes-Benz.A new minivan is coming in 2022, but will its design and comfort surpass the Toyota Alphard, which is also popular in China?Not an Alphard face? Look at the new minivan adopting a design with presence!

    This powerful design is awesome! Can it aim to surpass the Alphard? The Denza D9, launched in the Chinese minivan market (image: denza.com)BYD, which was founded in 2003, has now developed into the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, selling the largest number of electric vehicles (BEV/PHEV/HEV).On the other hand, Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz Group) of Germany has developed luxury car brands such as Mercedes-Benz and continues to operate Daimler Trucks, its truck division, as an independent company.The electric vehicle manufacturer in which BYD and Daimler have jointly invested is China-based denza .

     The company was established in May 2010, before the current EV shift was formed, and launched its first model, the denza 500, based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246) in 2014.For a long time, this was the only model that Denza offered, but in 2019, the company finally released its second model, the Denza X, but it will be sold out in 2021.Denza has not made any significant moves for a while, but the new model Denza D9, which was sent out in 2022 to make a fresh start, has become a major topic of discussion.

     The Denza D9 is a large minivan with an overall length of 5250 mm x width of 1960 mm x height of 1920 mm and a wheelbase of 3110 mm.Unusually for a minivan sold in China, both PHEV and pure electric BEV models are available.A presale was held in May 2022, prior to the official launch, and was so enthusiastic that 3,000 orders were received within 30 minutes of the start of reservations. Since then, sales have been brisk, with 30,000 units sold in the first two months.The PHEV model combines a 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine with a 170kW motor (4WD grades have an additional 45kW motor in the back).

     The PHEV model has a cruising range of 945 km (1040 km for the higher two-wheel drive grade and 970 km for the four-wheel drive grade) using the NEDC system.The higher grades can travel 190 km on electric power alone, and can be quickly recharged with an output of up to 80 kW, which is rare among PHEVs, making it possible to use the car like a small EV.

     The BEV model, on the other hand, has a range of 620 km (600 km for four-wheel drive, CLTC system).The minivan market is heating up in China.Sedans, which are conservatively styled automobiles, remain popular, but demand is rising for family-oriented minivans that are convenient for transporting large families, and for luxury minivans that are suitable for transporting government officials, entertainers, and executives.

     Among these, the Toyota Alphard remains the most popular, but in China it is treated as an imported vehicle, and the number of vehicles that can be sold in a month is limited.The MSRP starts at 839,000 yuan (about 1,728,300 yen in Japanese currency), but dealers set their own additional fees for priority delivery, and it is common to pay a total of nearly 25 million yen for a car.However, the Alphard is adapted to Japanese road conditions and is slightly smaller. The wheelbase, which affects interior space, is also 3,000 mm, so many people in China consider this size small.

     Chinese manufacturers are all struggling to gain market share by introducing PHEV and BEV models that are larger than the Alphard and that do not exist in the Alphard.The PHEV model of the Denza D9 is priced between 329,800 RMB (about 6,403,000 yen in Japanese currency) and 439,800 RMB (about 8,539,000 yen), while the BEV model is priced between 389,800 RMB (about 7,568,000 yen) and 459,800 RMB (about 8,927,000 yen), making it much more affordable than the Alphard. The BEV model is challenging the competition with a price that is much more affordable than Alphard.

     Still, the Alphard’s popularity remains high, as is evident from a look at the used market.Even a 10-year-old second-generation Alphard (2.4-liter specification with 230,000 km traveled) is priced at 4.5 million yen.It is safe to say that the Alphard is now recognized by Chinese consumers as an exceptional product.In the increasingly chaotic minivan market in China, we cannot take our eyes off rival models that are determined to defeat the Alphard, and the popularity of the Alphard in the face of these rivals.

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    Gaze at the blue-white Suzuki “Jimny police vehicle”? What is the disaster countermeasure vehicle that appeared in the police car lineup “Keisatsu Vehicle Exhibition” .

    “Are you hot on the heels of the blue-and-white Suzuki “”Jimny”” police car? Disaster Response Vehicles at the “”Police Vehicles Exhibition”” featuring a full lineup of police cars

    Police Cars and Other Vehicles to Gather at “”Police Vehicle Exhibition””!
     On May 28, 2022, the 12th “”Police Car Exhibition”” organized by the Saitama Prefectural Police Headquarters was held at the Railway Museum in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture.

    I want to see it up close! What does a cool “”Jimmy Police Vehicle”” look like? See how it attracts attention.

     Among the various police vehicles on display, including a sports car-type police car, was a Suzuki “”Jimny”” police car, a small XC vehicle.

    Multi-purpose disaster response vehicle based on the Suzuki Jimny Sierra (image courtesy of Saitama Prefectural Police)

     The vehicle on display was based on the Jimny Sierra, a registered version of the Jimny.

     The vehicle, which attracted the attention of many people, from children to adults, is equipped with a red revolving light on the roof, and the Order of the Rising Sun (police emblem) can also be seen inside the front grille. However, it is two-tone blue and white.

     According to the Saitama Prefectural Police, the vehicle is deployed as a “”multi-purpose disaster response vehicle,”” and as the name implies, it was manufactured for use in various applications in times of disaster.

     Other police vehicles on display at the exhibition included a Nissan “”Skyline GT-R”” police car and a variety of other police vehicles that delighted the eyes of visitors.”

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    Toyota’s Proace a van larger than the Hiace and popular in Europe

    Toyota’s Proace, a van larger than the Hiace and popular in Europe, won various awards at the Fleet News Awards. The Proace City, a smaller version of the Proace designed for the European market, has a high body shape with sliding doors and is equivalent to the Townace van in Japan. The Proace lineup includes both short and long versions with diesel engines and an electric version called the Proace Electric. The Proace City is supplied through an OEM partnership with Peugeot and Citroen, and the passenger wagon version is sold in Japan as the Peugeot Lifter and Citroen Berlingo. The Proace is a light van equivalent to the Hiace in Japan, with multiple body types and engine options including a BEV version called the Proace Electric. It is also produced in partnership with Peugeot and Citroen.

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    Revolutionary Honda Unveils eNS2 SUV 10 EVs by 2027 Redefining Automotive Innovation

    In a recent announcement that’s sure to turn heads, Honda has revealed its latest addition to the electric vehicle (EV) market: the “e:NS2” crossover SUV. Set to debut at the Beijing Motor Show, which kicks off on April 25, 2024, this innovative vehicle represents a collaboration between Honda and China’s Dongfeng Motor Corporation under their joint venture, Dongfeng Honda.

    The e:NS2 marks the second installment in Honda’s e:N series, a specialized sub-brand tailored for the Chinese market. With a vision to redefine the EV landscape, Honda has crafted the e:NS2 to blend the practicality of an SUV with the sleekness of a sedan, catering to drivers seeking both functionality and comfort.

    While its predecessor, the e:NS1, mirrors the size of compact SUVs like the Vezel, the e:NS2 carves out its own niche as a mid-sized crossover. Boasting coupe-like styling accentuated by sharp lines and tube-shaped LED lights, this vehicle exudes a futuristic aura that captivates onlookers with its emotional appeal.

    Inside, the e:NS2 boasts a minimalist yet futuristic interior design. A horizontal, slim instrument panel houses a head-up color display for the driver and a generous 12.8-inch tablet-like display at the center. With a flat floor and a retractable center console, the cabin prioritizes ease of movement and passenger comfort.

    In terms of dimensions, the e:NS2 measures 4788 mm in length, 1838 mm in width, and 1570 mm in height, placing it in the same league as popular models like the Toyota Harrier. Its wheelbase spans 2735mm, offering ample cargo space of 500 liters with a maximum width of 1100mm.

    Under the hood, the e:NS2 inherits the powertrain of its higher-grade sibling, the e:NS1, featuring a motor capable of producing up to 150kW (203hp) paired with a 68.8kWh battery. This configuration grants the e:NS2 an impressive cruising range of 545km, ensuring drivers can go the distance without compromise.

    While pricing details are set to be unveiled on April 25th, expectations suggest the e:NS2 will command a premium over the e:NS1’s 175,000 yuan (approximately 3.75 million yen) price tag.

    Looking ahead, Honda has ambitious plans for the EV market in China, aiming to introduce 10 EV models by 2027 and achieve a 100% EV sales ratio by 2035. At the Beijing Motor Show, alongside the e:NS2, Honda will unveil its next-generation EV, the “Ye,” and showcase three models from the upcoming “Ie” series, underscoring its commitment to electrification amidst a global landscape marked by EV industry shifts and trends.

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    Toyota’s popular luxury minivan the Alphard has been on the market for eight years and fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the next generation model

    Toyota’s popular luxury minivan, the Alphard, has been on the market for eight years and fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the next generation model. Its sibling, the Vellfire, is also expected to undergo a full model change. Fans are hoping for a sleek and stylish design for the new Vellfire, which was first introduced in 2008 as a derivative of the second generation Alphard. The current models of both vehicles have undergone significant exterior and interior changes, with the Vellfire adopting a more luxurious and bold design concept.

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    The popular reason for the popularity of the explosively selling Toyota “Alphard” is the “luxury feel unique to minivans?”

    “Toyota’s Alphard is selling like hotcakes, and its popularity is due to the minivan’s unique sense of luxury. What do users think is the reason for its continued popularity?

    Why is Toyota’s “”Alphard”” so popular?
     Toyota’s luxury minivan “”Alphard”” is a model that has gained popularity among a wide range of users, and is often seen on the streets.

     What are the reasons for its continued popularity? Even after several years have passed since the current model went on sale, various opinions are still being expressed on the Internet.

    The “”too luxurious interior and exterior”” of the once over 15 million yen version of the hot-selling “”Alphard”” is amazing! See it in the real car!

    Why is the Toyota “”Alphard”” still so popular 7 years after the current model?

     The current Alphard, the third generation model, was introduced in 2015.

     It was developed with the keyword “”large-space luxury saloon”” with the aim of creating a new concept of a luxury car not seen before.

     The exterior of the Alphard is particularly eye-catching, especially the large front grille with chrome decoration that is integrated with the lower grille and thickened vertically, giving the Alphard its unique strength.

     The design has a powerful appearance that is reminiscent of the “”ora ora face”” of the Alphard.

     The body size is 4935mm-4950mm (overall length) x 1850mm (overall width) x 1935mm-1950mm (overall height), which, combined with the exterior design, gives it an eye-catching sense of size.

     The interior, especially the top-of-the-line Executive Lounge model, offers a high quality space not found in other minivans.

     The seats feature exclusive Executive Lounge seats, which are as comfortable as sofas, and are equipped with a power ottoman with a 140 mm extension/retraction mechanism, comfort heated seats, ventilated seats, and a retractable table. Comfort and convenience are also pursued.

     The grade lineup is rich in variation, with prices ranging from 3,597,000 yen to 7,752,000 yen, with a wide range in the price range.

     Even now, seven years after its launch, the Alphard continues to attract a great deal of support, ranking in the top 10 in the Japan Automobile Dealers Association’s (Jidosharen) ranking of new car sales for the six-month period from April to September 2022, coming in 8th place.

     So, why has it gained the support of so many users? Users on the Internet have a variety of opinions about this.

     First of all, one of the reasons for its popularity was a user’s opinion that “”it is probably the strongest simply because there are no rivals in this class.

     The Nissan “”Elgrand”” is often cited as the Alphard’s rival, but recently its sales volume has fallen far below that of the Nissan “”Elgrand,”” which is one of the reasons why the Alphard is in a unique position of strength.

     In addition, many family members expressed their support for the Alphard because of its ample space that only a minivan can provide, such as “”I feel it is a good car with a spacious interior and a comfortable ride,”” and “”It is convenient to carry a large group of people, including children and children’s friends.

     In addition, there is also the opinion that “”it is easily chosen as an official vehicle.

     Recently, there are more and more opportunities to see Alphard in the city, and it is not only for private users, but is also treated as a cab or corporate vehicle.

     In the past, sedans tended to be the choice for luxury cars, but the shift to “”luxury cars = minivans”” is underway, thanks to the spacious interior and comfort unique to minivans, in addition to the ride quality.

     One of the reasons for this shift is that the concept of luxury-oriented cars has changed dramatically with the recent change in values and times.

     On the other hand, some say that “”many people have preconceived notions and assumptions”” about the Alphard.

     In particular, because of its size and visual appeal, some people have a negative image of the Alphard, such as “”the Alphard is very intimidating”” due to the influence of bad driving by a small group of users.

    * * *

     The Alphard can be said to be a model that still attracts a lot of support from various factors seven years after its debut in 2015.

     With rumors that the model will be fully remodeled in 2023, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Alphard.”

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