GM’s three way partnership SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) is launching an up to date Wuling Hongguang Mini EV in China. As soon as the best-selling EV in China, with beginning costs round $4,000, gross sales of the mini EV have slipped as new competitors enters the market. The corporate hopes an up to date mannequin may also help flip issues round.
After hitting the market in 2020, the Wuling Mini EV rapidly climbed the gross sales charts in China. In 2021, the electrical mini automotive topped Tesla’s Mannequin Y to change into the top-selling EV in China.
Regardless of its extraordinarily small measurement at simply 2,918 mm lengthy, 1493 mm vast, and 1,621 mm tall, beginning at simply $4,000 (28,800 yuan), the mini EV was onerous to go up.
Nevertheless, that was over three years in the past, and China’s auto market is transferring rapidly. New competitors has led to aggressive EV value cuts from market leaders like BYD, making it onerous for international automakers to maintain up.
It seems to be like GM’s SGMW has a plan to revamp gross sales. The brand new Wuling Hongguang Mini EV was leaked by China’s Ministry of Trade and Info Expertise newest launch.
GM’s top-selling EV in China is due for an improve
The information reveals the brand new mannequin is barely larger at 3,256 mm lengthy, 1,510 mm vast, and 1,578 mm tall.
Additionally, you will discover the Mini EV is getting a facelift. The brand new exterior design is an enchancment with a barely much less boxy, extra fashionable form.
In line with the regulatory submitting, the mini EV will likely be powered by a single rear electrical motor and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Though costs are but to be revealed, the present mannequin begins at about $4,600 (32,800 yuan). With reductions, costs can fall as little as $3,500 (25,000 yuan). The brand new mannequin is predicted to launch with related ultra-low costs.
Gross sales of the mini electrical automotive have fallen from practically 395,500 in 2021 to about 405,000 in 2022, and final yr, solely 237,863 Wuling Hongguang Mini EVs had been offered. GM’s three way partnership hopes an up to date model of its top-selling EV may also help cost up gross sales in China.
Supply: China MIIT, CarNewsChina
