Why Did Baojun 730 Stop Production?
4 Answers
Baojun 730 stopped production primarily because the product itself failed to attract potential consumers. Competitor factors: Originally, the Baojun brand, which lacked brand advantages, held a unique positioning and product edge in third-, fourth-, and fifth-tier cities. It dominated this market segment with three major strengths: spacious interiors, low prices, and a dense sales network. However, after 2018, consumers developed a new round of car selection preferences, prioritizing higher quality and brand reputation. Product factors: Models like the Jetour X70, which offer superior safety, handling quality, spacious interiors, features, and powertrain advantages, proved far more appealing to consumers than the Baojun 730. The price gap between these two models has narrowed to the cost of a smartphone, making the Baojun 730 no longer the sole choice for this consumer segment.
I remember the Baojun 730 was quite popular before, and my relative even bought one, mainly because it was cheap and practical. But now there are indeed no new cars available, simply put, it doesn’t sell well. In recent years, the MPV market has been taken over by models like the Geely Jiaji and BYD Song MAX, which have more youthful designs and higher configurations, making young people less inclined to choose older models like the 730. Wuling has freed up production lines to manufacture newer models like the Wuling Capgemini, which offer higher profit margins. Additionally, with stricter China 6 emission standards, upgrading the old engine would be costly, so it’s better to just discontinue production. You can still find used or stock cars on the market, but the manufacturer has stopped production, and spare parts for repairs might become troublesome in the future.
As someone who has driven the 730, this car has simply been left behind by the times. Five or six years ago, the streets were full of 730s, priced at just 70,000 to 80,000 yuan for transporting people and goods, making them a favorite among small business owners. But in recent years, as people's wallets have grown thicker, they demand more comfortable cars, and the 730's plastic interior and basic features can't keep up. I've observed its sales plummet from over 30,000 units a month to just a few hundred, forcing the manufacturer to shut down production lines. Wuling is now promoting models like the Xingchen hybrid and Bingo electric vehicles, which feature new technology and better fuel efficiency. Who would still produce old fuel cars? For those considering an MPV, I'd recommend checking out the Trumpchi M6 or the Forthing Yacht. The discontinuation of the 730 is really no surprise.
The core reason for the discontinuation of the Baojun 730 is its outdated product competitiveness. When it was launched in 2014, it succeeded with its low price and spacious interior, but it went a decade without a major facelift while competitors continuously upgraded. Now even Wuling itself has introduced the Wuling Jiachen as its replacement, featuring configurations like a digital instrument cluster and a smart infotainment system, whereas the 730 doesn't even have ESP as standard across all trims, putting it at a significant disadvantage. Additionally, the impact of new energy vehicles from emerging automakers has made consumers less interested in older platform models. With limited manufacturer resources, priority is naturally given to new models, leading to the inevitable discontinuation of the 730.
