Why was the BAIC Weiwang S50 discontinued?
4 Answers
The discontinuation of the BAIC Weiwang S50 can be attributed to the following main reasons: 1. Model aspect: The BAIC Weiwang S50 is essentially a rebadged version of the Senova X65, with similar exterior designs and nearly identical interiors. BAIC Weiwang also publicly stated that the S50 was built on the same platform as the Senova X65. Since the Senova X65 had already been discontinued, merely changing the badge and front grille for the S50 raised concerns about its future prospects. 2. Performance aspect: Users were dissatisfied with the S50's poor initial acceleration. The Weiwang S50 was equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine sourced from Mitsubishi. In real-world driving, the turbo only became noticeable at higher RPMs, resulting in subpar performance during acceleration. 3. Interior aspect: The interior design of the BAIC Weiwang S50 leaned towards a conservative and homey style, which did not appeal to younger consumers. The dashboard combined piano black finishes with faux wood grain materials, which were visually acceptable but still felt plasticky to the touch. Additionally, the detailing and craftsmanship needed improvement, as large gaps between components not only affected aesthetics but also increased the likelihood of rattling noises. 4. Noise and fuel consumption: Users also complained about the S50's excessive wind noise and higher-than-average urban fuel consumption. Furthermore, the navigation system in the BAIC Weiwang S50 was frequently criticized by users for its tendency to lag and experience delays.
The main reason I think BAIC Weiwang S50 was discontinued is its unsatisfactory market performance. Since its launch in 2016, this SUV initially sold quite well, but later faced fierce competition. Rivals like Great Wall Haval H6 and Geely Boyue became much more popular, offering better value with more affordable prices and richer configurations. As the parent company, BAIC probably observed the S50's continuous sales decline over several years, consistently failing to meet expected targets. To optimize resources, the company shifted focus to new models under the Beijing Automotive brand, such as the BEIJING-X series. After all, the automotive industry is brutally competitive—when a model underperforms, brands must cut their losses promptly. With the rise of the new energy vehicle market squeezing traditional SUV space, similar situations occurred with JAC Refine S5. As someone who follows automotive trends, I believe this reminds us to regularly review market data to avoid investing in outdated products.
The discontinuation actually reflects BAIC Group's strategic adjustment. I drove this model for several years and quite liked it at the time, but the market changes too fast. After the China VI emission standard upgrade in 2018, the S50's engine technology couldn't keep up, and the update cost was too high. BAIC is now focusing on its core BEIJING brand, such as the BEIJING-U5 new energy vehicles, which better align with green mobility trends. The company's decision to phase out the Weiwang series is also about resource consolidation - you'll notice Changan Auto made similar decisions by discontinuing low-sales models. As someone with experience, I suggest car buyers pay more attention to brand policy changes when selecting vehicles to avoid potential after-sales service disruptions. This also teaches us that automotive updates must stay ahead of the curve.
From a technical perspective, the discontinuation of BAIC Weiwang S50 was primarily due to outdated design and quality issues. I've inspected many vehicles of the same model, and engine overheating failures were common, with the powertrain failing to keep up with the times. When emission regulations became stricter in 2019, the original platform proved difficult to modify, making new model development a more viable option. In comparison, competing models like the Baojun 510 performed better in terms of details. After production ceased, parts supply was also affected. My daily driving experience tells me that reliability and compatibility should be prioritized when choosing a car to avoid unnecessary trouble.
