21世纪经济报道·2026-01-15 14:16Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent appointment of Zhao Changjiang, a former BYD executive, as the Executive Vice President of Zhijie Auto, highlighting the challenges and expectations surrounding the launch of their first MPV model, the Zhijie V9, in a competitive market [4][5][18]. Group 1: Zhao Changjiang's Background and Achievements - Zhao Changjiang joined BYD in 2009 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest sales manager in the company's history by 2017 [7]. - He played a crucial role in the development of high-end electric vehicles, including the BYD Han EV, and successfully revitalized the struggling Tengshi brand, leading to the launch of the Tengshi D9, which achieved over 103,460 units sold in 2025 [8][9]. - Under Zhao's leadership, Tengshi's average vehicle price increased from 250,000 yuan to 380,000 yuan, significantly enhancing the brand's market position [9]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Zhijie Auto - Zhijie Auto, launched in September 2023, initially gained attention with the S7 model but faced significant delivery issues, with only 794 units delivered against over 20,000 orders due to production delays [14][15]. - The brand underwent a strategic restructuring, with a focus on independent operations and a partnership with Chery for manufacturing, which aimed to resolve previous production bottlenecks [15]. - The upcoming Zhijie V9 is positioned as a flagship product, emphasizing space, range, and safety, with a target to penetrate the high-end MPV market [17][18]. Group 3: Market Position and Future Outlook - The Zhijie V9 aims to leverage Chery's manufacturing capabilities and Huawei's technological support to establish a strong presence in the competitive MPV segment [18]. - Zhao Changjiang's ability to replicate his past successes in a more challenging market will be closely monitored, as the industry anticipates whether Zhijie can avoid the pitfalls of relying on a single successful model [18]. - The V9's features include a comprehensive safety system and a maximum range of over 1250 km, positioning it as a strong contender in the high-end MPV market [17].