Ding Lei, chairman of Human Horizons: Never let future travel mode transformation be empty talk

Reported by Automobile Channel, CRI Online (Weiwei): In the automobile industry, Ding Lei is not an unfamiliar name to most. He used to join the SAIC VOLKSWAGEN in domestication of automobiles; he participated in the forming of SAIC-GM as a representative of the Chinese side; and he has also served as deputy administrative head of Pudong New Area in Shanghai for many years with rich experience in management. Currently, he is the chairman of Human Horizons.

Human Horizon is a tech company engaged in leading the transition towards intelligent transport with technological innovation. From 2017 to the present, under Ding Lei's leadership, Human Horizons not only put forward a macroscopic strategy for future transport, but also created a new brand Gaohe HiPhi and released its product——deluxe and highly intelligent electric SUV of racing car level in less than two years. So far, Human Horizons has completed its overall strategic blueprint, showing a clear orientation for future transport. CRI Online had an in-depth communication about this with Ding Lei.

Question: Your interpretation on the new brand and logo is very meaningful with lofty thoughts. So what is the motive behind?

Answer: Our philosophy is exploration, freedom and creation, which demands a systematic solution, and the solution must be situated in the history and space. We adopted the concept of "China with the West", and the shape of the logo, hence, conforms to the Golden Section. It represents science and balance. The idea behind our logo falls into place.

SAIC-GM used to be called SHANGHAI-GM. Actually in the last three year when I served in SHANGHAI-GM, I had been thinking about what is the future of traditional automobiles. I put forward the concept of "green automobile drives future development". To be more specific, both suppliers and products need to be more environmental-friendly. Only smart new energy vehicles could dominate the market in the years to come. That's the reason why we focus on environment-friendly and intelligent products.

Question: As you have said on other occasions, there are currently no intelligent vehicle in the real sense. Could you please briefly define what you mean by intelligent automobile?

Answer: Intelligent automobile, in real sense, should be able to connect cities, IoT and the Internet. It is an open platform that connects to bigger world. So far, there is no single OS that could cover all types of vehicles. As a structure, and in a larger sense, a platform, an ideal OS should enable both developers and users to create value, and can evolve to a higher level of intelligence through learning. This is intelligence.

Question: Let's talk about intelligent transport. Human Horizons has been advocating Future Blueprint. Do you think it is a little bit late for Gaohe HiPhi to conduct mass production compared with other brands?

Answer: Our strategic plan is advanced and all-around. Human Horizons is very confident for the future. So I think we can win in all respects. Gaohe HiPhi is an upmarket brand, and all of our products are informed by the philosophy of exploration, freedom and creation. Young people have already shown strong interest in it. Therefore, I think, no matter in product planning or brand building, Human Horizons is ranked on the top of the industry overall.

Question: As the first mass-produced car model of Gaohe HiPhi, what is its design idea? What is the model expected to achieve in the market?

Answer: Product modeling and engineering has been determined. But in further trial and engineering verification, we will make some adjustments within the permitted range according to related regulations and user feedback before putting the model in to mass production. As for function, we will consider users' suggestions, and develop more functions in different scenes on the software and hardware basis, like programmable intelligently-interactive projector headlight and ISD intelligent display system. As users explore, they will unlock new functions and find surprises.

Question: Why Human Horizons define 2021 as the starting point of intelligent automobiles?

Answer: New energy and intelligent car are two popular concepts in automobile industry nowadays, and the government is also very supportive of them. But 2019 is a hard year. 2020 is the last year of subsidiary decrease, and the whole market would become mature gradually in 2021. In the next two years, a variety of advanced technologies, especially those concerning new energy smart vehicles, will be put into application. So we conclude that 2021 wll be the year of Chinese real new-energy and intelligent automobiles to bloom. And Human Horizons has been making strategic arrangements according. We start with automobiles, as they link cities and roads. From my standpoint, three elements make an outstanding product. Appearance, intelligence and durability. Gaohe HiPhi 1 launched by Human Horizons today, excels in the industry in all the three aspects both in design and manufacturing.

After the interview, Automobile Channel of CRI Online considers that in a sluggish automobile market, Human Horizons' launch of the new brand and product model reflects their confidence in the market and their own products. Now we hope Ding Lei could lead Human Horizons to realize future transport, and make automobiles, transport as well as the way people travel enter a new stage ultimately.