Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline of traditional luxury car brands BBA (BMW, Benz, Audi) in the Chinese market, particularly in the context of the rising competition from domestic electric vehicle manufacturers. It highlights the challenges BBA faces in adapting to the new energy vehicle (NEV) landscape and the perception of these brands as "second-rate" or "杂牌" (杂牌) among consumers [7][28]. Group 1: Market Performance and Competition - BBA's market share in the 500,000+ vehicle segment has dropped to approximately 50% due to the emergence of popular Chinese models like the AITO M9 [10]. - In 2022, BBA's global sales totaled 6.1054 million units, a decrease of nearly 1 million units compared to 2021 [10]. - BBA's green plate vehicles sold less than 70,000 units in 2019, and despite a brief sales peak in 2023, their profitability has been severely impacted by price wars [10][14]. Group 2: Product Development and Technology - BBA's approach to NEVs has been criticized for relying on "oil-to-electric" conversions, which do not meet consumer expectations for performance and efficiency [18][22]. - The BMW i3, for example, uses a fuel vehicle chassis, compromising passenger space and battery performance, with real-world range significantly lower than advertised [19][24]. - In contrast, Chinese manufacturers like Li Auto and NIO are utilizing advanced technologies, with NIO's ET5 achieving a total computing power of 1000 TOPS compared to BMW's i3 at only 2 TOPS [18][19]. Group 3: Strategic Challenges and Future Outlook - BBA's reluctance to fully commit to NEV development is partly due to their established supply chain relationships and the desire to maximize profits from traditional fuel vehicles [33][36]. - The article suggests that BBA's slow transition to electric vehicles is a tactical retreat to maintain their existing market share while facing pressure from the rapidly growing Chinese EV sector [29][33]. - The perception of BBA as "杂牌" reflects a broader concern that these brands are failing to innovate and meet the evolving demands of Chinese consumers [28][41].