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After the dissolution and delisting of Changan PSA, the original Shenzhen factory has been completely taken over by Baoneng Automobile, and the DS brand has been able to continue production and sales in China by virtue of contract production. Recently, at the completion and commissioning ceremony of the Xi'an base held by Baoneng Automobile, the domestic DS 9 was also officially unveiled, and its tail mark was replaced by the word "Baoneng Automobile".

Take a brief look at this car. DS9, the latest flagship car under the DS brand, is based on PSA Group's EMP2 modular platform. The new car was pre-sold in China in August this year and is expected to be released this year.

The domestic DS9 will launch four models, using the latest family design language in appearance, with a woven mesh texture in the hexagonal grille, headlights connected to the front grille, and turn lights on both sides. In terms of size, DS9 locates a medium-sized car with a length, width and height of 4933mm/1855mm/1468mm and a wheelbase of 2895mm.

In terms of power, the new car will launch two power options: 1.6T fuel version and 1.6T plug-in hybrid, of which 1.6T fuel version has a maximum power of 215hp, which is matched by an 8-speed manual gearbox; 1.6t plug-in hybrid maximum power 250hp, matched with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which can last up to 50km under WLTP conditions.

As a high-end brand of PSA Group, sales of DS in China "can not bear to be looked directly at". It is understood that previously, PSA Group and Changan Automobile Group jointly established Changan PSA, which mainly produces its DS brand models, but due to poor sales leading to long-term losses, PSA Group and Changan Automobile Group have sold the joint venture company to Baoneng Automobile, and completed the change of industrial and commercial information in May this year. Recently, DS9 was officially unveiled at the completion and commissioning ceremony of Baoneng Automobile Base in Xi'an, and the word "Baoneng Automobile" was officially affixed to the rear of the new car, which also means that the DS9 will be manufactured by Baoneng Automobile. At the same time, as a global model, it will be exported abroad after it is made in China.

Baoneng Group entered the automotive industry in 2017 and officially announced its entry into the automotive industry through the acquisition of shares in Guanzhi Automobile. From this point of view, Baoneng entered the automotive industry for only 3 years, whether it is Baoneng Automobile or its Guanzhi Automobile, the sense of existence in the market is not very strong.

Therefore, compared with the previous "Changan Di Aishi", the word "Baoneng Automobile" is obviously much more minority. As the luxury brand model of PSA Group, it is marked with "Baoneng Automobile" in the rear of the car, and its brand must be greatly reduced whether it is sold abroad or at home.

Despite the failure of the joint venture and its development in China, the DS brand stressed that it would not withdraw from the Chinese market and would continue to dig deep into the Chinese market.

At present, sales of luxury brands in China continue to grow, and luxury carmakers continue to add to the Chinese market. For example, sales of Lincoln cars have risen for many months after they were localized in 2020. As a more niche and low-positioning DS, there is still a lot of uncertainty about whether it can usher in sales growth.

In the first half of 2020, the DS brand sold a total of 153 vehicles in China, compared with 2058 in the same period last year, down 91.06% from a year earlier, according to the Federation of passengers.

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