In the early days of SAIC Volkswagen Lingdu's launch in 2015, it was marketed as a "wide-seat luxury coupe," which disappointed many fans. However, it is undeniable that at the time, SAIC lacked a model that could compete with LaVida and Passat in the 150,000 RMB price range. The introduction of Lingdu filled this gap and played a crucial role in expanding SAIC Volkswagen’s product lineup.
Unlike other second-tier automakers, Volkswagen's sales have not been impressive, often selling just a few thousand units per month. For example, in January of this year, the brand sold 15,500 vehicles across different models, especially those emphasizing sportiness. While this performance is decent, for a car built on the MQB platform, it still falls short of expectations. In May, Lingdu's sales dropped to just 5,500 units, showing a sharp decline.
**1. Roller Coaster Sales**
After the tough sales period in May, Lingdu saw a dramatic turnaround in June. According to the latest data, Lingdu ranked 8th with 19,009 units sold, even surpassing the popular Honda Civic (17,608 units). With a 245% quarter-on-quarter increase, this surge couldn't be explained by normal market conditions alone—there must be more behind the scenes.
**2. How Strong Is Lingdu?**
Lingdu has always had strong appeal. Built on the MQB platform, it aligns well with Chinese consumer preferences, offering a solid chassis and easy integration of the latest technologies. Features like ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic parking are standard. It comes with 1.4T, 1.8T, and 2.0T engine options, with the 1.4T available in high and low power versions. However, most models use a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission (DQ200), which isn't as popular as more advanced alternatives.
The main seller is the 1.4T model, producing 131 horsepower, while the high-power version offers 150 horsepower. This power output isn’t enough to fully match the vehicle’s size, making it slightly less powerful than the 177-horsepower 1.5T Earth Dream engine found in the Civic. Compared to the 1.0T three-cylinder "pseudo-sports" Civic, Lingdu's performance is not significantly better.
Lingdu's dimensions are 4599/1827/1422mm, with a wheelbase of 2656mm. The Civic measures 4649/1800/1416mm with a 2700mm wheelbase. While there are slight differences, the overall space is comparable, making them direct competitors.
**3. Sales Speak Louder Than Words**
Back to the "roller coaster sales" we mentioned earlier, Lingdu delivered impressive results in June. At its peak, it outperformed the Civic by 1,409 units, thanks to comprehensive discounts on all models. Some regions offered up to 30,000 RMB in concessions. Considering that the Civic may see price increases, Lingdu's near-equal performance made it more attractive to buyers.
**4. The Pain of Sports Cars**
Does this mean Lingdu completely beat the Civic? Not quite. The overall performance of sports cars remains weak, from the Angkor Sela to the CC and Artez. Compared to traditional, more balanced models, their sales are still much lower. At the 150,000 RMB price point, consumers prefer a well-rounded model rather than a purely sporty one.
Those familiar with cars know that this generation of Civic has lost some of its sporty characteristics. From tire choices to larger body sizes, it has shifted toward a daily family-oriented design. The quiet release of the 1.0T model also disappointed long-time Civic fans. If Lingdu managed to offer a 30,000 RMB discount, did the Civic respond by lowering its entry price with the 1.0T model? The battle between these two models highlights the challenges faced by pure sports cars in today’s Chinese auto market.
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