🏠IT之家•Stalecollected in 64m
Zhiji LS8 owners protest sudden price policy changes
💡A cautionary tale on how inconsistent pricing and policy updates can trigger massive customer backlash for tech products
⚡ 30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
Zhiji LS8 owners are protesting the sudden transition of a 9,800 RMB optional package to free status.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the importance of transparent pricing strategies for high-tech automotive products. Poor management of early-adopter relations can severely damage brand trust in the competitive EV market.
What To Do Next
If you are building a product with tiered pricing, ensure clear communication and 'grandfathering' policies to protect early adopters.
Who should care:Founders & Product Leaders
🧠 Deep Insight
Web-grounded analysis with 12 cited sources.
🔑 Enhanced Key Takeaways
- •The protest specifically targets the 'Luxury Smart Selection Package,' which included a 520-line ultra-wide-field LiDAR, a Danish Bang & Olufsen audio system, driver's seat massage function, 21-inch wheels, and a color head-up display, initially priced at 9,800 RMB before being made free for new buyers.
- •Zhiji Motors (IM Motors) is a joint venture primarily backed by SAIC Motor (holding a 54% stake), Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.
- •The Zhiji LS8 officially launched on April 16, 2026, following the commencement of pre-sales on March 26, 2026.
- •During pre-sales, Zhiji Motors also offered a separate 'Pre-Sale Upgrade Package' valued at RMB 81,200, which included the NVIDIA Thor chip, IM AD Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), 18-speaker B&O audio, and a 12.3L dual-zone refrigerator, provided free for a limited time.
- •The LS8 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and represents the sixth model under the IM brand, strategically positioned below the flagship LS9 to expand the company's SUV offerings.
🛠️ Technical Deep Dive
- The Zhiji LS8 is a large extended-range electric SUV (EREV) built on an 800V high-voltage platform.
- It features the 'Stellar' Super Extended Range System, which integrates a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder range extender (SAIC Motor's 15FNE model) with electric motors.
- The vehicle offers a pure electric range of up to 430 km (CLTC) and a combined driving range exceeding 1500 km (CLTC).
- Powering the AWD variants is a dual-motor system delivering a total of 390 kW (523 hp) and 670 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds.
- A notable feature is the four-wheel steer-by-wire system, available as a 10,000 RMB option on Ultra trims, which includes bi-directional 24° rear-wheel steering for a turning radius of 4.85 meters, and aviation-grade triple redundancy.
- The LS8 incorporates the 'Lingxi' digital chassis 3.0, featuring front dual wishbone and rear multi-link suspension, along with standard single-chamber air suspension and continuous damping control (CDC).
- For intelligent driving, it is equipped with a 520-line LiDAR (with a 300m detection range) and an NVIDIA Thor chip, while the infotainment system is powered by a Qualcomm 8295P chip.
- The interior boasts a 27.1-inch 5K MiniLED center screen, a 15.6-inch 3K passenger screen, and offers advanced seating functions such as ventilation, heating, and massage.
🔮 Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
Zhiji Motors' aggressive pricing strategies and rapid feature updates could intensify competition in China's premium EV market.
The company's move to make a previously paid package free shortly after launch, combined with its overall aggressive pricing, suggests a strong focus on gaining market share, potentially forcing competitors to adjust their own strategies.
The incident highlights a growing challenge for EV manufacturers in managing customer expectations and loyalty amidst rapid product development cycles and evolving pricing policies.
The protests from early adopters demonstrate that frequent and sudden changes to pricing or feature availability can lead to significant customer dissatisfaction and reputational damage, especially in a fast-moving market.
⏳ Timeline
2020-11
SAIC Motor, Shanghai Pudong New Area, and Alibaba Group announce the launch of Zhiji Motor (IM Motors).
2020-12-25
IM Motors (Zhiji Automobile Technology Co., Ltd.) is officially founded as a joint venture.
2021-01-13
IM Motors formally launches and unveils two concept models (a sedan and an SUV).
2026-03-26
IM Motors officially opens pre-sales for the LS8.
2026-04-16
IM LS8 officially launches with pricing from RMB 249,800 to RMB 299,800.
2026-06-01
IM Motors introduces a new policy making the 9,800 RMB 'Luxury Smart Selection Package' free for new orders placed in June.
2026-06-14
115 early buyers issue a joint statement protesting the policy changes.
2026-06-16
Over 200 owners sign a second joint statement, having received no substantive response from the company.
📎 Sources (12)
Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.
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