Why was the Baojun 310w discontinued?
4 Answers
Baojun 310w was discontinued due to calibration issues with the engine control module (ECU) software, which could cause abnormal impact on the transmission clutch damping spring slider. In extreme cases, this could lead to interruption of vehicle power output, posing significant safety risks. Below are the quantities of Baojun vehicles recalled twice: 1. 20,406 units: Some Baojun automatic transmission vehicles produced between January 15, 2018, and October 11, 2018, totaling 20,406 units were recalled. 2. 12,252 units: Some Baojun 7 automatic transmission vehicles produced between October 20, 2017, and December 24, 2018, totaling 12,252 units were recalled.
I've driven the Baojun 310W station wagon before, and it's a shame it got discontinued. I remember it sold fairly well a few years ago, but then sales dropped. Station wagons have never been very popular in China—people prefer those tall and rugged SUVs. Although the Baojun 310W had plenty of space, its fuel consumption was on the higher side, making it less practical for city use. Looking back now, it was probably due to shifting market demands—consumers started prioritizing new energy or smart features, so Baojun likely shifted focus to electric models like the E-series. I recall it gradually faded from the market around 2020, and later, the brand focused more on upgrading models to meet China VI emission standards. This has impacted us owners too, as spare parts might be harder to find, making used models more sought after. If you're really interested in a similar car, you might consider the Roewe i6 station wagon or Geely's newer models, which are still in production. In the end, a car's fate often depends on trends—discontinuation doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, it just wasn’t the right time for it.
From my observation, the discontinuation of the Baojun 310W might be due to its inability to keep up with technological advancements. This car used an older engine with emission standards only meeting China 5, but when the national China 6 standard was implemented in 2019, many models had to be upgraded or retired. Baojun probably found the update too costly and decided to discontinue it to save money. Additionally, in terms of design, the station wagon's lower chassis resulted in poorer road adaptability, often causing issues with potholes in urban driving. I've studied many cases where small brands like this struggle to sustain operations if they aren't profitable. Now, the automotive market is shifting toward new energy vehicles, and Baojun's newer SUV model, the Valli, has gained more popularity. If you're looking for an affordable station wagon, you might consider BYD's F-series models. Overall, it's normal for car production to start and stop—it all depends on the manufacturer's strategy.
The discontinuation of the Baojun 310W is, in my opinion, a shift in business strategy. Looking at last year's data, the station wagon segment only occupies a small portion of the Chinese market, while SUVs and electric vehicles are experiencing explosive sales growth. As a brand under SAIC, Baojun likely prioritizes resources for more profitable projects, such as their current focus on fuel-efficient models and smart connected vehicles. The costs are also high, and producing niche models comes with significant pressure, making it more sensible to concentrate efforts on the main battleground. Many brands have faced similar situations—just think about the large number of discontinued models from a decade ago. This doesn’t pose major issues for daily driving, as second-hand options are still available, and spare parts can usually be found with some effort. In short, the market is always evolving, and automakers following the money is a sound strategy.
