Toyota Executive Reveals Xiaomi's Wheelbase Ratio Error: Who Got "Wheelbase Ratio" Moved?

Entering the new energy vehicle competition, carmakers are converging on modules and supply chains, with product homogenization trends becoming more pronounced. Using excellent marketing strategies to make consumers unaware, has become a target for many car companies. However, it is also necessary to be cautious, as introducing new concepts in automobiles requires scientific rigor, lest mistakes lead to serious losses.

Recently, Zhang Dong, planning department head of FAW-Tianyu Automobile Sales Co., Ltd., pointed out on his personal IP account that Lei Jun claimed that the wheelbase ratio of Xiaomi YU7 was three times greater than it actually is. "From Xiaomi's official PPT, you can see that there are 3 tires in front and back of the vehicle, so the axle distance to tire diameter ratio is 4, not 3. Here, Xiaomi made a mistake."

Zhang Dong expressed his opinion straightforwardly: "The concept of wheelbase ratio was introduced by Lei Jun, but whenever someone else says it, I feel like blowing my top because my undergraduate degree is in automotive engineering, and there's no such concept in automobile theory." To avoid being chased by fans, Zhang Dong added, "Lei Jun is a commercial genius, and I respect and admire him as a colleague. However, even geniuses can make mistakes sometimes. Learning from his ideas and methods without thinking critically is not allowed."

Xiaomi YU7 Wheelbase Ratio Error

On June 26, Xiaomi's first SUV model, YU7, was launched. In introducing the new car's exterior design, Lei Jun said that Xiaomi YU7 has a very good design, with a core reason being the proportion, having a threefold wheelbase ratio, two-fold tire height ratio, and 1.25-fold width-height ratio. "This is the result of a hundred years of luxury automobile industry sedimentation." Subsequently, Xiaomi YU7 set a record for selling over 200,000 units in three minutes, becoming a "miracle" in the automotive industry.

Just a few days ago, Zhang Dong published an article on his Weibo account, highlighting the similarities between FAW-Tianyu's bZ5 and Xiaomi YU7 in terms of their wheelbase ratios. Zhang Dong also corrected Lei Jun's mistake: "Xiaomi YU7 has a fourfold wheelbase ratio, not three-fold."

However, the comments section exploded with people saying things like, "There are such ignorant high-level executives, and there's nothing to worry about when it comes to joint ventures." Others said, "Several brands all say their wheelbase ratios are threefold. Can't they all just be wrong?" Zhang Dong also responded directly: "I didn't dare refute Lei Jun when he talked about these concepts because I was afraid I wasn't knowledgeable enough or that my degree was outdated. But recently, during a business trip to Changchun, I specifically found some colleagues who majored in car design to verify this. Only then did I feel confident confirming that these concepts are all defined by Xiaomi." Lei Jun is a genius who quantified the descriptions of car designs.

When Xiaomi YU7 claims its wheelbase ratio is threefold, consumers may not understand what that means. It's like the golden ratio of 0.618, where people just feel that something looks good and can't explain why. However, car companies are like discovering a new marketing "continent," including Dongfeng Nissan N7, Chery L6, and Envy S9T, all of which have claimed their wheelbase ratios are threefold.

Zhang Dong joked that he had never noticed that so many car companies suddenly discovered their own wheelbase ratios were threefold. He also explained: "Three-fold wheelbase ratio is like a tractor, and it's impossible for passenger cars to have such a high ratio." Like taking a small notebook to cheat on an exam, even some car companies are copying others' mistakes.

Marketing Games Require Scientific Rigor

Interestingly, on August 11th evening, Lei Jun launched a discussion on social media about renaming Xiaomi YU7's standard edition. He emphasized that the standard edition has strong configurations and can last for over 835 kilometers, surpassing some competitors' Pro or Max editions, and is not a "base model." Lei Jun sought opinions from netizens and launched an online poll.

This can't help but remind people of Luo Yonghao's classic moment when he pointed to the middle cup at Starbucks and said, "I want this medium-sized cup." When the server politely replied, "Sorry, sir, this is a large cup. We only have medium-sized cups, large cups, and extra-large cups." After a round of battles, Luo Yonghao ultimately failed to persuade the store staff, and he ended up slapping himself in frustration and spitting out nonsense.

As a renowned public figure known for his exceptional oratory skills, Luo Yonghao still lost the battle. It's hard to imagine what ordinary consumers would feel when faced with "medium-sized cups," "large cups," and "extra-large cups." Fortunately, as of now, among the 2.2 million people who participated in the vote, 1.6 million supported keeping the name "standard edition" unchanged.

Compared to some car companies that blindly follow the trend of "threefold wheelbase ratio," Zhang Dong was able to discover Xiaomi's wheelbase ratio error, which proves the importance of high-level executives who stick to their lines. In the era of traffic, not only ordinary people need to possess independent thinking skills, but also some car companies in their own professional fields should be aware of the potential pitfalls they may encounter.

Of course, whether it's the new concept wheelbase ratio error or the car rule paper that leaves people perplexed, Xiaomi's marketing has already become a topic of envy for many car companies. However, excessive marketing can lead to internal competition and harm. As the regulatory sword falls, this chaotic marketing feast will gradually be normalized.

On June 19th, three government departments held a video conference to strengthen new energy vehicle safety management work, requiring automobile production enterprises and power battery production enterprises to take responsibility for product quality and safety. The meeting emphasized the importance of designing, verifying, producing, and servicing vehicles, as well as preventing risks and fulfilling obligations.