Why Was the Changan Oulve Discontinued?
3 Answers
Changan Oulve was discontinued due to safety concerns and high pricing leading to low sales. Below is an introduction to the Changan Oulve: 1. Exterior Design: Apart from slight inheritance in the cabin section, few design elements from the concept car were retained. The front grille resembles Acura, the headlight contours are large, giving a somewhat floating roof effect, and the body lines are also dynamic. 2. Powertrain: The Oulve is equipped with a 1.2L and 1.4L E-Power engine, featuring a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear trailing arm semi-independent suspension.
As a former owner of the Ouliewei, I believe its discontinuation was mainly due to its weakening competitiveness in the market. Small MPV models like the Wuling Hongguang and Baojun are selling like hotcakes, while the Ouliewei, despite its spacious interior, suffered from outdated design and declining sales. Changan Automobile shifted its focus to SUVs and new energy vehicles, such as the CS75 and the Eado EV, which are more popular among modern families. With the emission standards upgraded to China VI, the Ouliewei's old engine couldn’t meet the requirements, and the upgrade costs were too high, so the manufacturer simply decided to halt production. I’ve driven it before—it’s a bit sluggish at startup, and the fuel consumption is on the higher side, making it seem outdated to new buyers. Resource optimization is the norm, but I hope they’ll introduce an electric version in the future to make up for it. The Ouliewei was practical, but it just couldn’t keep up with the trends.
From the sales data perspective, the discontinuation of the Ouliv was a strategic business adjustment by Changan. With fierce market competition and thin profit margins in the small car segment, the Ouliv's sales dropped to less than half of its peak, prompting the manufacturer to reallocate resources to popular SUV series like the CS55 and UNI-T. Consumer preferences have shifted towards larger SUVs or energy-efficient electric vehicles, leading to shrinking demand for small MPVs. On the policy front, new emission regulations have restricted the production of older models, and the Ouliv's outdated technology made upgrades uneconomical. The introduction of its replacement model, the Oushang, further marginalized its position. Based on user feedback I've reviewed, complaints about its simplistic interior and lack of features were common, with buyers showing a preference for more trendy options. The optimization of production lines aims to enhance overall efficiency. Changan may pivot towards an electric vehicle strategy to maintain its market position.
