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During a Visit to China, the Former CEO of Volkswagen Was Impressed by the Technology of a New Chinese Electric Sedan, Classifying the Advance as Unbelievable.
It is commonly said that Chinese electric cars sell well due to their very competitive prices. And that is true. But we must also consider that, in recent years, the quality of these vehicles has improved significantly, to the point of surpassing ‘Western’ cars in many aspects. Those who saw it up close were the former CEO of Volkswagen.
Proof of this is the constant reports of admiration from big names in the automotive industry. Recently, the former CEO of the Volkswagen Group, Herbert Diess, had a memorable experience testing a new Chinese electric sedan, the Nio ET9, which left him very impressed with what he saw.
What Is the Nio ET9?
Herbert Diess is widely recognized for leading Volkswagen’s transition to electric cars during his tenure as CEO from 2018 to 2022.
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His influence in the industry is also marked by connections with important figures, such as William Li, CEO of the Chinese manufacturer Nio. It was through this contact that Diess had the opportunity to get to know the Nio ET9, a luxury electric sedan that is attracting global attention.
The Nio ET9 is a sedan with impressive dimensions: 5.32 meters in length, 2.01 meters in width, and a wheelbase of up to 3.25 meters.
It accommodates four occupants with remarkable comfort, especially in the rear seats, which feature three multimedia screens, a 15.6-inch horizontal screen, reclining chairs at 45 degrees, foldable tables, and even a built-in mini fridge.
The suspension is pneumatic, with active control that performs up to 1,000 adjustments per second independently on each wheel, ensuring exceptional comfort. In terms of performance, the ET9 is equipped with two motors, one on each axle, providing a combined power of 520 kW, or 697 horsepower.
More impressive is its 925-volt platform, the first in the world for electric vehicles.
Thanks to it, it is possible to recharge the 120 kWh battery in just 20 minutes to reach 100% charge, or recover 255 km of range in five minutes. The total range is 650 km, according to the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle.
Additionally, the ET9 is compatible with Nio’s rapid battery swapping system, which replaces a discharged battery with a fully charged one in just three minutes.
“That Is Impossible”: Diess’s Reaction
To promote the launch of the ET9, Nio released a video featuring the reactions of several executives after testing the car. Among them were Paul Fang, chairman of the appliance manufacturer Midea; Yu Kai, CEO of Horizon Robotics; Annabelle Yu Long, CEO of Bertelsmann in China; and Herbert Diess.
The reactions varied. Fang stated that the ET9 exceeded his expectations; Yu Kai described it as “luxurious and technological”; Yu Long classified it as “wonderful.” But it was Diess who attracted the most attention when he got out of the vehicle with a smile, stating: “That is impossible.”
What impressed Diess was the car’s performance in a specific test: the Nio ET9 crossed a track with various obstacles while dozens of champagne glasses were balanced on its hood. Thanks to the active suspension, not a single glass fell, a feat that highlighted the vehicle’s precision and stability.
Herbert Diess’s Exit from Volkswagen
In 2022, Diess was removed from the position of CEO of Volkswagen. He led the automaker’s expansion into the electric vehicle sector, allocating € 52 billion (about R$ 300 billion) for the development of battery-powered cars. However, his management faced significant challenges.
The executive proposed aggressive cost-cutting measures, including the layoff of 30,000 employees in Germany, which created friction with the Volkswagen workers’ union, representing the majority of the 300,000 employees of the company in the country. Daniela Cavallo, union leader, stated at the time that it was essential to balance job security with profitability.
Another point of tension was the management of Cariad, the subsidiary responsible for developing software for autonomous cars, which faced delays and high costs. The dissatisfaction led the Volkswagen board of directors, composed of 20 members, to vote unanimously for Diess’s replacement.
The Goal to Surpass Tesla
During his tenure, Diess’s main goal was to surpass Tesla and position Volkswagen as the largest producer of electric cars in the world. Under his leadership, the company launched its first electric models and initiated a transition that is still ongoing.
However, internal challenges and union resistance made it difficult to achieve his goals. Even outside his position, Diess remains an influential figure in the automotive industry, and his opinion on the Nio ET9 reflects the growing relevance of Chinese manufacturers in the global landscape.
The New Era of Chinese Electric Cars
The Nio ET9 represents a significant advancement in the automotive industry, putting China in the spotlight in the global electric vehicle market. With cutting-edge technology, innovative design, and solutions such as rapid battery swapping, Chinese manufacturers are changing the perception of the quality and innovation of their vehicles.
Herbert Diess, with his experience and expertise, witnessed firsthand the impact of this evolution. His reaction to the Nio ET9 highlights that Chinese electric cars are not just an accessible alternative, but also a glimpse of the future of mobility.
A china já é a maior potência global na produção de carros e tecnologia automotiva, também está se tornando uma potência militar e espacial, e tá se projetando no mundo. Só tenho uma coisa a dizer, o governo sabe trabalhar. Quem discorda diga um governo melhor. Pois aqui no Brasil o povo é escravizado, o salário da maioria só dá pra comer e voltar a trabalhar e depois dizem que a china escraviza o povo. Eu vendo os chineses comprando carros baratos e o kwid custando mais de 70 mil aqui, sendo o salário mínimo 1.412. isso é escravidão generalizada. Quem discorda diga um sistema que tá evoluindo melhor, pois eu desconheço, a china é inegavelmente a líder global e exemplo mundial.
Pela primeira vez vejo uma reportagem falando em troca de baterias em carros elétricos, isto realmente é garantir autonomia, já que possibilita inúmeras vantagens, como trocas entre baterias carregadas por descarregada ou imprestáveis por utilizáveis, com isso o carro elétrico vai dominar completamente .
Os chineses sempre deram mostras de crescimento tecnológico e inovação na indústria automotiva. ‘pensar global e agir local” e nada de guerras comerciais.