Mini EVs steal the limelight at Shanghai Auto Show as China’s young drivers look for an affordable car

Name: China’s automated driving technology speeds ahead with research by search engine giant Baidu
Uploaded: 2021-04-27T12:30:15.000Z
Duration: 4 min 7 s
Description: China’s automated driving technology speeds ahead with research by search engine giant Baidu

The Hongguang Mini EV Cabrio, a two-seater convertible, generated a buzz of excitement and is seen as a potential game changer in the world’s largest automotive market

‘Low-priced battery-powered cars with fancy designs have struck a chord with young people in China,’ said Gao Shen, an independent analyst

Reading Time:3 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

A Wuling MINI EV car on display at the Auto Shanghai show on April 19, 2021. Photo: Reuters

Daniel Ren

Published: 8:30pm, 27 Apr 2021Updated: 8:35pm, 27 Apr 2021

A very small electric car built by General Motor’s mainland Chinese venture has become a very big hit at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show.

The Hongguang Mini EV Cabrio, a two-seater convertible, generated a buzz of excitement and is seen as a potential game changer in the world’s largest automotive market, after the success of other diminutive electric vehicles (EVs) in recent months.

Hundreds of journalists flocked to the exhibition hall set up by SAIC-GM-Wuling during the show’s opening day on April 19, playing a guessing game as to how much the new car would cost. Camera flashes lit up the stand as the compact car with a manually retractable roof took centre stage.

It is the latest model to emerge from GM’s three-way partnership with SAIC Motor and Wuling Motors, following the bestselling Hongguang Mini EV which sports a price tag of just 28,800 yuan (US$4,437).

“Low-priced battery-powered cars with fancy designs have struck a chord with young people in China,” said Gao Shen, an independent analyst in Shanghai. “They no longer salivate over the oil-guzzling marquees with a big horsepower, but can be impressed by some small EVs which offer value for money.”

The carmaker has yet to disclose the price for the new convertible EV.

Analysts said it would attract thousands of buyers if it were to be priced at around 100,000 yuan, far higher than most other small, battery-powered models.

04:07

China’s automated driving technology speeds ahead with research by search engine giant Baidu