Tesla’s rise to the top of Chinese electric car sales did not last long. More galling, the local carmaker that has taken the lead has done so with a smaller, slower vehicle.
The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV has a top speed of 100 kmph and a 170km driving range. Once scoffed at for its size and weak horsepower it has become the most sold electric vehicle in China this year.
A $4,500 pricetag helps. Tesla’s Model 3 costs about $39,000 in China. Wuling has worked around the issue of high fixed battery prices by making its car small and light, meaning smaller and cheaper batteries can be used. The car is made by SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, a joint venture known as Wuling in which state-backed SAIC Motor and Guangxi Automobile Group own a combined 56 per cent and US automaker General Motors 44 per cent.