Why was the Zotye T700 discontinued?
2 Answers
The reasons for the discontinuation of the Zotye T700 are as follows: 1. Increased complaints: Since its launch, the Zotye T700 has received numerous complaints regarding its engine, transmission, and body accessories and electrical components, significantly impacting its reputation. 2. Design controversy: While the exterior of the Zotye T700 impressed many, its overall style bore some resemblance to Land Rover and Jaguar models, leading to accusations of imitation. 3. High fuel consumption: As a relatively affordable model, the Zotye T700's fuel consumption was not economical, deviating from the consumption philosophy of its target demographic. 4. Insufficient engine power: The Zotye T700 offered consumers a choice between two engines, a 1.8T and a 2.0T, neither of which stood out in terms of performance metrics. 5. Poor comfort: The suspension was overly stiff, resulting in noticeable vibrations on bumpy roads and speed bumps, inadequate body support, and significant body roll during turns. 6. Declining sales: Due to the aforementioned issues, sales of the Zotye T700 saw a significant drop, ultimately leading to its discontinuation. Below are specific details about the Zotye T700: 1. Powertrain: The Zotye T700 offered two powertrain options across three engines—a 1.8T or a 2.0T—paired with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The in-house developed 1.8T engine delivered a maximum power of 130KW and a peak torque of 250Nm. 2. Features: In addition to traditional features like ABS+EBD, ESC stability control, and TCS traction control, the T700 also included brake assist, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, electronic parking, electric front seat adjustment, driver status monitoring, rear air vents, keyless entry, one-touch start, wireless phone charging, a multifunction steering wheel, and a rearview camera.
As a long-time observer of the automotive industry, I believe the discontinuation of the Zotye T700 is primarily related to the company's financial pressures. Around 2019, Zotye was exposed to a debt crisis, and after the capital chain broke, production capacity couldn't keep up. The cost of producing the T700 SUV was too high, but sales continued to decline. Market data shows that the T700's monthly sales once dropped to just a few hundred units, resulting in unsustainable losses for the company. Additionally, supply chain chaos meant parts suppliers were unwilling to cooperate, leading to an inability to continue production. I also heard that Zotye is transitioning to electric vehicles, prioritizing resources for new models, so older models naturally get phased out. Owners complain about poor after-sales service and low resale value, making the discontinuation inevitable—after all, if no one buys it, production has to stop. I recommend checking the history carefully when buying a used car to avoid falling into a trap just to save money.
