- The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV was a success in China. It used to outsell the Tesla Mannequin Y, although gross sales have been down final 12 months.
- Wuling offered 237,863 items of the Hongguang Mini EV in 2023, down from 404,823 in 2022.
- The present Wuling Hongguang Mini EV has a base worth of $5,046 (35,800 CNY)
Earlier than tales of BYD’s Seagull, or Nio’s Onvo model dominated the media cycle for taking Tesla to job, there was one automotive that refused to go away the lips of journalists: the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. Made partly with assist from GM, and mentioned to be impressed by Japanese Kei vehicles, the cube-shaped tiny EV rocketed to the highest of China’s EV gross sales charts. At one level, its roughly $4,000 worth made headlines, and its gross sales numbers even surpassed the Tesla Mannequin Y. However China’s market is fickle. A prime vendor right now might be yesterday’s information on the drop of a hat. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV has fallen fairly far down the gross sales charts, however it appears to be like like a brand new one is on the horizon with doubtlessly broader enchantment.
China’s Ministry of Business and Data Know-how (MIIT) has uncovered patent-style pictures of Wuling’s littlest EV earlier than its official debut. Registering with the MIIT is a vital step for automakers seeking to launch a automotive in China, even when it exposes the design of the automotive earlier than its media introduction.
From what we are able to see, the brand new Wuling Hongguang Mini EV continues to be considerably boxy, however it appears to be like not less than slightly bit extra upscale. The scale are nonetheless petite. The Hongguang Mini EV is just 128.2 inches lengthy, although that is fairly a bit longer than the 114.8-inch unique. A large 9.8 of these inches go proper to the Hongguang Mini EV’s wheelbase. Thus, the Hongguang Mini EV will now include an optionally available additional set of doorways. The five-door mannequin ought to improve the automotive’s enchantment, though it may step on the toes of the Wuling Bingo.
MIIT
There aren’t any specs on the battery, the MIIT submitting does inform us a bit in regards to the motor. We will see a strong axle and a motor peaking beneath the bumper cowl within the rear shot. The MIIT says the automotive may have a 40 horsepower motor and a prime pace of 62 mph.
MIIT
I’ve little doubt that this automotive will generate gross sales, however it possible received’t ever get again to the highest of being China’s best-selling EV. For starters, China has ended many subsidies for vehicles which might be this small and sluggish. In China, EVs that go lower than 124 miles (200 km) or can’t exceed 100 km/h (62 mph) don’t qualify for a similar tax incentives as longer-range vehicles. Equally, vehicles just like the outdated Hongguang Mini EV and its ilk have developed a popularity of being unsafe automobiles. The outdated Wuling Hongguang EV didn’t have any airbags and even an precise bumper. Producers have began to improve the security of those fashions, however it appears to have affected the value. For instance, the Changan Lumin Corn is known as a “technology two” mini EV, however its base worth is $7,300. By comparability, the BYD Seagull is an actual automotive with extra vary and a prime pace of 81 mph, and that may be had for slightly beneath $10,000.
This may not be nice information for GM, which is intently tied with Wuling. GM’s manufacturers have struggled in China currently, and it desperately wants gross sales to cease the model from shrinking to nothing. This revised Wuling Hongguang Mini EV may find yourself being higher, however it received’t be sufficient to show the corporate’s fortunes round in China.
The Tesla Mannequin Y’s gross sales numbers will in all probability be protected.
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