Hong Kong electric car start-up Thunder Power eyes China market
Hong Kong-based electric vehicle company Thunder Power has thrown down the gauntlet to carmakers and tech giants around the globe, claiming that its vehicles will have revolutionary wireless charging, autonomous driving capabilities and a range that will surpass its rivals and win the hearts of Chinese consumers.
Thunder Power on Thursday debuted its brand in Hong Kong as part of its efforts to introduce the company to the Asia Pacific market.
Its first electric vehicle, due to commence production in China during the fourth quarter of 2018, boasts specifications that include a 650-kilometre range thanks to a 125 kilowatt-hour battery. That’s 50 per cent more than the Tesla Model S sedan’s 430 kilometres.
The sedan will cost about 434,000 yuan (US$63,000) and is already available for pre-orders on the Thunder Power website.
The Chinese tech giants, they have to compete with me
Wellen Sham, chief executive of Thunder Power, said in an interview with the South China Morning Post that the extended range is what will convince buyers in the Chinese market to take a chance on the Thunder Power electric sedan.
“The key is range. 400 kilometres may be enough [to drive] in Hong Kong, but it is not enough for China,” Sham said.