Why was the Baojun RM5 discontinued?
4 Answers
The main reason for the discontinuation of the Baojun RM5 is that its engine had significant issues. In such a highly competitive market, the Baojun RM5 struggled to survive, and its sales fell far short of the expected targets, leading to the decision to halt production and sales to minimize losses. More details about the Baojun RM5 are as follows: 1. Introduction 1: The Baojun RM5 measures 4705 mm in length, 1806 mm in width, and 1625 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2750 mm. It is an MPV model under the Baojun brand. The car offers a relatively spacious interior. The Baojun RM5 was launched in 2019 and is equipped with two engines: a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. 2. Introduction 2: The 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine produces 99 horsepower and a maximum torque of 143 Nm. This engine reaches its maximum power at 5800 rpm and its maximum torque between 3400 and 4400 rpm. It features multi-point fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum cylinder head with a cast iron cylinder block. It is paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. 3. Introduction 3: The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers 147 horsepower and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. This engine achieves its maximum power at 5200 rpm and its maximum torque between 2200 and 3400 rpm. It also features multi-point fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum cylinder head with a cast iron cylinder block. It is paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. 4. Introduction 4: The front suspension of this car uses a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension employs a torsion beam non-independent suspension.
I've previously researched this model, and the main reason for the discontinuation of the Baojun RM-5 was indeed its lackluster market performance. When this MPV was first launched, it emphasized spaciousness and cost-effectiveness, but later, consumer demands for smart features grew rapidly, and the RM-5 failed to keep up with the pace of updates. Nowadays, at the same price point, consumers can buy models equipped with adaptive cruise control and vehicle connectivity, making the RM-5 seem inadequate. Additionally, the rise of new energy MPVs in recent years, with brands like BYD and Geely introducing hybrid models, has impacted the entire traditional fuel-powered MPV segment. The manufacturer likely saw the declining sales trend and decided to allocate production capacity to more profitable models. I checked the data—when its monthly sales dropped to triple digits in the later stages, its fate was pretty much sealed.
As a long-time observer of the automotive market, I feel the RM-5 has some positioning issues. It tries to cater to both family and commercial use but ends up doing neither well. Family users complain about the cramped third row, while commercial clients find it lacking in prestige. Moreover, Wuling faces internal competition within its own lineup—the newly launched Capricorn offers higher specifications at similar prices, inevitably cannibalizing sales. The most critical issue is last year's raw material price hikes, which hit thin-margin models like this particularly hard. A friend in the auto industry told me production lines burn money every day they're idle, so naturally underperforming models get axed. Recently visiting dealer showrooms, I noticed they're mainly pushing the newly launched Cloud EV now, with older models being phased out after clearing inventory.
This really resonates with me. Last year when helping a relative choose a car, I noticed the RM-5's presence had significantly diminished. Domestic car models now iterate too quickly - vehicles without major facelifts for three years are basically phased out. Its 1.5T engine is still the old model, with notably higher fuel consumption compared to newer hybrids. The infotainment system is another weakness, with voice recognition often lagging, making it unappealing to younger buyers. Dealers report relatively high maintenance rates, with minor issues like tailgate rattling being common. The manufacturer must have done the math - rather than spending on upgrades, discontinuing it made more sense. Recently, Baojun has been shifting resources to new energy vehicles, and I've heard the E300 is selling well, so it's natural for older fuel models to make way.
