Why was the Weichai U70 discontinued?
3 Answers
Weichai U70 was discontinued for the following reasons: 1. Intense competition in the SUV market: As a new model, the Weichai U70 did not stand out in the SUV market, leading to sales falling short of expectations. Additionally, the Chinese SUV market is highly competitive. 2. Low brand recognition: The Weichai automotive brand is not well-known. For a new brand to gain consumer recognition, it takes time, which is difficult to achieve in the short term, especially in the automotive brand market. 3. Technical aspects need improvement: Weichai not only lacks brand heritage but also has deficiencies in automotive manufacturing technology. The company has limited experience in car manufacturing and does not have an advantage in this area.
I heard that the discontinuation of Weichai U70 was mainly due to poor market sales. When this car was first launched, it had some popularity, but later sales continued to decline. Facing the highly competitive SUV market, models like the Great Wall Haval series took away a significant share. The car itself lacked trendy configurations, and its price advantage wasn’t obvious. Consumer feedback mentioned outdated interiors and insufficiently comfortable space. Now that the automotive industry is shifting toward electrification, Weichai may have shifted its focus to the development of new energy models. Discontinuation is a common strategy—automakers need to adjust promptly to maintain profitability. In fact, many cars follow this pattern; if they don’t sell well, they get phased out. I know a few owners who feel that finding parts for the U70 has become inconvenient after its discontinuation. Overall, poor market feedback was the main reason.
From a technical perspective, I understand that the discontinuation of Weichai U70 is related to product updates. It uses a platform that is several years old, while mainstream SUVs are now undergoing intelligent upgrades, such as adding large screens or assisted driving features, areas where the U70 lags behind. Additionally, environmental policies have become stricter. After the implementation of the China VI emission standards, the old engine tuning couldn't keep up, resulting in higher fuel consumption and frequent user complaints about noise issues. Weichai has recently introduced new models like hybrid versions, and resources are prioritized for those. I think this is a natural iteration; any old product that isn't improved will be phased out. Furthermore, supply chain issues may have also affected production costs. In summary, technological advancements leading to the discontinuation of older models is entirely reasonable.
