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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, calling the advancement unbelievable.
It is often said that Chinese electric cars sell well because they are very competitively priced. And that is true. But we must also consider that in recent years the quality of these vehicles has improved a lot, to the point that they surpass 'Western' cars in many aspects. The former CEO of Volkswagen saw this up close.
Proof of this are the constant reports of admiration from big names in the automotive industry. Recently, the former CEO of the Volkswagen Group, Herbert diess, had a remarkable experience when testing a new Chinese electric sedan, the No ET9, which left him very impressed with what he saw.
What is Nio ET9?
Herbert Diess is widely credited with 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 Chinese manufacturer Nio. It was precisely through this contact that Diess had the opportunity to learn about the Nio ET9, a luxury electric sedan that is attracting global attention.
The Nio ET9 is a sedan with impressive dimensions: 5,32 meters long, 2,01 meters wide and a wheelbase of up to 3,25 meters.
It accommodates four occupants in a remarkable level of comfort, especially in the rear seats, which have three multimedia screens, a 15,6-inch horizontal screen, 45-degree reclining seats, folding tables and even a small built-in refrigerator.
The suspension is pneumatic, with active control that makes 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, which provide a combined power of 520 kW, or 697 horsepower.
Most impressive is its 925-volt platform, a world first 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 quick-swap battery system, which replaces a dead battery with a fully charged one in just three minutes.
“That’s impossible”: Diess’s reaction
To promote the launch of the ET9, Nio released a video showing the reactions of several executives after testing the car. Among them were Paul Fang, president of home appliance maker Midea; Yu Kai, CEO of Horizon Robotics; Annabelle Yu Long, CEO of Bertelsmann in China; and Herbert Diess.
Reactions were mixed. Fang said the ET9 exceeded his expectations; Yu Kai described it as “luxurious and technological”; Yu Long called it “wonderful”. But it was Diess who drew the most attention when he stepped out of the vehicle with a smile and said: “This is impossible".
What impressed Diess was the car's performance in one particular test: the Nio ET9 crossed a track with several 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' departure from Volkswagen
In 2022, Diess was removed from his role as CEO of Volkswagen. He led the automaker's expansion into electric vehicles, allocating €52 billion (around R$300 billion) to the development of battery-powered cars. However, his tenure has faced significant challenges.
The executive proposed aggressive cost cuts, including laying off 30 workers in Germany, which sparked friction with Volkswagen’s workers union, which represents most of the company’s 300 employees in the country. Daniela Cavallo, the union leader, said at the time that it was essential to balance job security with profitability.
Another point of tension was the management of Cariad, a subsidiary responsible for developing software for autonomous cars, which was facing delays and costs. high. Dissatisfaction led Volkswagen's 20-member board of directors to vote unanimously to replace Diess.
The goal of surpassing Tesla
During his tenure, Diess's main goal was to overtake Tesla and position Volkswagen as the world's largest producer of electric cars. Under his leadership, the company launched its first electric models and began a transition that is still ongoing.
However, internal challenges and resistance from unions have made it difficult to achieve his goals. Even out of office, Diess remains an influential figure in the auto industry, and his take on the Nio ET9 reflects the growing relevance of Chinese manufacturers on the global stage.
The new era of Chinese electric cars
The Nio ET9 represents a significant step forward in the automotive industry, putting China at the forefront of the global electric vehicle market. With cutting-edge technology, innovative design and solutions such as quick-swap battery packs, Chinese manufacturers are changing perceptions about the quality and innovation of their vehicles.
Herbert Diess, with his experience and expertise, has witnessed the impact of this development first-hand. His reaction to the Nio ET9 shows that Chinese electric cars are not only an affordable alternative, but also a glimpse into the future of mobility.
Congratulations China, and the Chinese people, for your investment in quality public education and your patriotic independence from oppressive foreign countries.
I'd rather be oppressed by the US than by China or Russia!
There are people who think like **** looking for an owner…
What oppressed you was your anti-social thinking and years of propaganda created with false freedom and brainwashing with Western and anti-China ideologies, even though the Chinese do good for humanity like recovering thousands of kilometers of desert...
****
Seek urgent psychiatric help as your case is serious.
Paid aid, because SUS was created by the SOVIET UNION.
Brazil should start reviewing its socioeconomic policy concepts to have a prominent position on the global stage and take the first step towards progress. Our country has potential! Invest in education, technology and science. And do away with all the dirty and filthy politicians who only want to see our country regress.
Here, there is only blah blah, from a mediocre, incompetent government, that can't even fix bridges, curb crimes, and spend less, to get the accounts in order. Rai
At least he doesn't just ride motorcycles and go looking for jewelry!
And what is he doing now? Approving a 90 reais increase in the minimum wage!! It's not enough to buy half a kilo of picanha or drink cachaça!! They're going to eat the grass by the roots!!
The **** scholarship hasn't even given a raise in 4 years, and is about to go to jail...
Well, it was in the previous government, right? Without any increase.
For the love of God, people...it's not possible. Neither Lula nor Bolsonaro will save Brazil...and because of thoughts like this, the country is already over. Drowned in debt...people suffering...politicians stealing...**** destroying families...LET'S STOP THIS DISEASE OF DEFENDING POLITICIANS!!!! You seem like worms who don't even know what they're talking about...while you're taking pain, the politicians lie down and roll around robbing the country...it's sad when I read the comments and a bunch of imbeciles defend these disgraces...go on.
Just **** all the time... I prefer what the motorcycle did... and what about the 80 thousand watch they gave to dad as a gift and he wears all the time? Isn't it jewelry? You leftists are cynical...
Said a **** of **** **** 🤣
There are some political illiterates who make comments, who don't know what they're talking about.
If the highway is state-owned, it is the state that repairs bridges. The state government is legally obliged to prevent crime. The legislative branch is responsible for creating laws to prevent crime. This wasteful government, as you refer to it, works with a congress that only works in its own interests, and if it wants to pass a law that is favorable to the interests of the population, it needs to 'negotiate' with this same congress.
Well, it is part of the federal government's management and planning, which is currently non-existent and carried out half-heartedly by incompetent people.
We spent 4 years having a ****, **** at the head of the government who in 4 years did nothing worthwhile, sinking Brazil into chaos, the ****, **** Bolsonaro only ROBBED the country, a ****, useless, and regarding the bridge, how many governments have passed and such maintenance has never been done, if they have to charge someone, they should charge the DNIT, the government of Tocantins and not the current government.
Missing an inedible, cowardly, runaway and ignorant ****. Cry for your pet soldier.
The priority should be to invest in mandatory and universal Public Education, so we wouldn't have "smart people" who only know how to CORRECT destructive criticism and would help to FIX the Country. LOL
We haven't even managed to eradicate illiteracy, there are still people writing CONSÊRTO with a “c”.
😀😀😀😀 .