Why was the Geely King Kong discontinued?

[StJocelyn]

Geely King Kong has not been discontinued; this model is still on sale, with the current available version being the 2019 model. Below are the relevant details: 1. Introduction: The Geely King Kong is a compact car under the Geely brand. It is equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine across all variants, delivering 102 horsepower and a maximum torque of 141 Nm. The engine reaches its peak power at 6000 rpm and achieves maximum torque between 3800 and 4200 rpm. 2. Advantages: This engine features DVVT technology and multi-point fuel injection, utilizing an aluminum cylinder head and a cast iron cylinder block. It is paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4AT automatic transmission.

[Ramon]

As an observer who has followed the automotive market for many years, I believe the discontinuation of the Geely King Kong was primarily due to market factors. This car was initially positioned as an affordable option and indeed enjoyed a period of popularity. However, domestic vehicles in the same segment became increasingly competitive, offering higher configurations at similar price points. Additionally, consumer preferences have evolved, with greater emphasis on interior quality and technological features, making basic models like the King Kong less appealing. According to my research, its monthly sales had dropped to triple digits before discontinuation, failing to even cover costs. Moreover, Geely is now focusing on promoting newer platform models like the Binrui and Emgrand, requiring production line resources to be allocated to more profitable vehicles. The retirement of older models like the King Kong aligns with normal market dynamics.

[LaManuel]

I run an auto repair shop and have worked on many Geely King Kongs over the years. To be honest, its discontinuation isn't surprising. The car's design hasn't had major updates for over a decade, still using the outdated 1.5L engine. Current owners complain about sluggish acceleration and high fuel consumption. The body panels are thin, leading to multiple rattles after a few years of use. Younger customers find its styling too plain when car shopping. We've also noticed at our used car dealership that the King Kong's resale value is significantly lower than the Emgrand's. With Geely now focusing on new CMA platform vehicles, maintaining the old production line with its high costs and low profit margins makes discontinuation a sensible move to cut losses. Most owners upgrading have switched to newer models like the Vision X3 that come with internet connectivity features.

[DeMartin]

From a product line perspective, the underlying logic behind the discontinuation of the King Kong model is quite clear. When it was launched in 2006, it was positioned as an A0-class entry-level family sedan. However, in recent years, this segment has severely shrunk, with micro electric vehicles directly taking away a large market share. Geely is now allocating resources to new models based on the BMA architecture, such as the Bin Yue, which sells over 10,000 units monthly, necessitating optimization and adjustment of production lines. Comparing the configuration sheets, the King Kong didn't even come standard with ESP (Electronic Stability Program), which by 2020 had become an industry baseline. Additionally, with the implementation of the China VI emission standards, the cost of upgrading the old engine was too high, making it more practical to discontinue the model rather than revamp it.