SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., under regulatory pressure to expand its electrified-vehicle lineup, has begun taking orders for a four-door, electric sedan with a starting price of 29,800 yuan ($4,220).
It is the lowest-priced EV a global automaker has launched in China.
The Hongguan Mini EV will be distributed under the Wuling brand, said SAIC-GM-Wuling, a three-way partnership between GM and two Chinese automakers – SAIC Motor Corp. and Wuling Motors Holdings.
The EV is powered by lithium ion batteries and can drive up to 120 kilometers on one charge and at a top speed of 105 km per hour.
The vehicle is 2,917 mm long, 1,493 mm wide and 1,621 mm tall. The interior configuration includes 12 storage compartments and a bench-style rear seat that can be folded flat to create up to 741 liters of cargo space.
“Its compact size makes it convenient for urban commuters. It has room for up to four people to meet daily driving needs,” GM’s China unit said.
SAIC-GM-Wuling’s main products are Wuling-badged minibuses and Baojun-brand entry-level cars.
The Hongguang Mini EV is the third EV that SAIC-GM-Wuling has launched, following a two-seat Baojun electric car and a Wuling minibus.
SAIC-GM-Wuling delivered 122,000 gasoline and electric vehicles in May, a rise of 11 percent from a year earlier. It was the second straight month the company’s sales grew, according to SAIC Motor Corp.
SAIC-GM-Wuling sales slumped 37 percent to 407,040 in the first five months, reflecting a sharp decline in the first quarter.