Why was the Leopaard Mattu discontinued?

[VanRosalie]

Here are the reasons related to the discontinuation of the Mattu: 1. Awkward Styling: One of the drawbacks of the Mattu is its rather awkward styling, which even raised suspicions of plagiarism. At first glance, the front grille of the Mattu clearly borrows design elements, deviating from the current trend emphasizing originality. The interior also bears a resemblance to that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This patchwork styling fails to create an appealing effect, instead giving off a sense of abruptness. The exaggerated front grille lacks the elegance of a Maserati. 2. Misleading Marketing: The engine in this car is not the same as BMW's, but rather a product manufactured by CE Auto under BMW's authorization. While it's true that this engine originated from BMW, the BMW Group has long since discontinued its use. It was only after CE Auto acquired this engine that Leopaard purchased it. Therefore, Mattu's claim of having a BMW engine carries a hint of misleading marketing.

[Leah]

As an SUV enthusiast who follows domestic models closely, it's a pity to see the Leopaard Mattu discontinued. The main reason was poor sales performance. When it launched in 2018, it positioned itself as a premium model priced around 150,000 yuan, but compared to competitors like the Haval H6 and Geely Boyue, the Mattu didn't stand out in terms of space or features. There were also complaints about after-sales service not keeping up and users reporting numerous minor issues, leading to declining brand trust. With the SUV market becoming fiercely competitive in recent years and new brands entering, Leopaard probably found the profit margins insufficient and decided to discontinue this series to focus resources on new energy or off-road vehicles. Overall, the product competitiveness and market strategy didn't play out well, and with increasing customer attrition, discontinuation became inevitable. I think such adjustments aren't uncommon, but I hope manufacturers won't neglect existing owners in the future, as maintaining good reputation is more important.

[LeAngelo]

Having been in the automotive industry for over a decade, I believe the discontinuation of the Leopaard Mattu was the result of multiple factors. Firstly, dismal sales were the key issue—compared to similar SUVs like the Changan CS75, its monthly sales barely reached a few thousand units, leading to severe inventory backlog and cost inefficiencies. Secondly, inconsistent product quality, including recalls for transmission and electronic system failures, coupled with high maintenance costs, drove consumers away. Additionally, with the implementation of the China VI emission standards post-2019, Mattu's engine updates lagged, failing to meet environmental requirements in time. The brand likely weighed these factors and pivoted toward new-energy strategies, such as electric SUVs, to capture market opportunities. In short, the discontinuation reflects market consolidation—manufacturers must adapt swiftly or risk falling behind.

[McAlivia]

As a frequent car repairer who has dealt with Mattu owners, I think the discontinuation was straightforward: the model aged and wasn't profitable. Since 2019, users reported engine noise and high fuel consumption, but the manufacturer failed to upgrade the technology promptly. Priced between 150,000-200,000 yuan, it faced too many competitors like the Chery Tiggo 8, which offered better configurations and stole customers. After sales declined, production lines were left idle, and maintenance costs soared, so Leopaard decided to discontinue it and focus on core off-road products. This poses some trouble for existing owners, as parts may become scarce—I recommend checking the vehicle's condition early. I believe automakers should conduct more forward-looking R&D to avoid similar issues.

[VanFernando]

I follow environmental trends, and the discontinuation of the Leopaard Mattu was partly driven by the green transition. It runs on gasoline with no emission advantages, facing pressure from China's dual-credit policy. After 2020, the Chinese market strongly promoted electric vehicles like the BYD Song, making traditional fuel SUVs hard to sell. The Mattu targeted the mid-to-high-end segment but lacked innovation, failing to introduce hybrid technology, leading users to shift toward more fuel-efficient or electric options. After declining sales, the brand restructured resources and cut inefficient product lines. This serves as a wake-up call for the industry: new energy is the way forward, and automakers must accelerate iteration. I support this change but hope manufacturers maintain good post-sale services without harming consumers.

[OCayden]

I test drove the Leopaard Mattu, and the main reason for its discontinuation was its ambiguous market positioning. It imitated luxury designs but wasn't priced competitively, overlapping with target audiences of domestic competitors like the GAC Trumpchi GS4. Sales figures were underwhelming, leading to significant inventory buildup and financial strain. Additionally, the brand shifted its strategy post-2021 to focus on electric and off-road series, phasing out non-core models like the Mattu. While this decision was rational, existing owners worry about parts availability. I believe automakers should plan transition strategies in advance to maintain competitiveness.