General Motors celebrated the launch of the new Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV for the Chinese market earlier this summer. The tiny electric vehicle, which is intended to serve as a low-cost, emissions-free mode of transportation for city dwellers, has experienced a hugely successful initial launch period, with GM’s Chinese arm having already received over 50,000 orders for the cute little runabout.
According to Chinese automotive site Gasgoo.com, the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV had already attracted 15,000 orders just 20 days after GM opened up the order books in July and has attracted another 35,000-plus orders to date.
Prices for the Wuling Hong Guang EV start at just 28,800 yuan, which is equivalent to $4,162 USD at the current exchange rate, and top out at 38,800 yuan, or $5,607 USD. The hatchback, which has seating for four, produces a maximum of 13 kW (17.4 horsepower) and 85 Nm (62.7 pound-feet) of torque from its singular electric motor. It has an estimated range of 106 miles (170 km) and a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h).
While the Wuling Hong Guang EV is designed to be as cheap to build and purchase as possible, it does come with some standard safety features such as anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, a tire pressure monitoring system, and rear parking sensors.
GM’s Chinese joint venture said previously that it would set up around 100 “experience stores” in China to promote the Wuling Hong Guang EV. These experience stores will mainly be located in city centers and will look to attract young, curious shoppers with their fashionable exterior and interior designs.
The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is only sold in China right now, though GM’s Chinese joint venture hopes to sell the vehicle abroad one day as well, though it did not say which markets it would target first. A small urban EV like this likely wouldn’t take off in the United States or Canada, but may an attractive option elsewhere in Asia or in Europe.
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Comments
Because the Smart ForTwo is doing so well…
Would not put my family in this crumple box.
I think it’s awesome. Perfect for a couple or a small family. It offers an affordable solution for people looking to save money while helping out with the environment. I think it would sell well in the Americas.
People are fleeing cities in droves, looking for something less crowded. This doesn’t sound like the best idea for America. And with a max speed of 62 mph, a person would be run over on pretty much any highway where I live.
BMW already made one like this. I believe it was called the “ Stupid Car for Two “ !!!
Actually, it was Daimler-GBenz, but… details, details!
No.
This looks like a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe.
No people in America dislike very small cars as a whole and vehicles with out any utility outside sports cars.
I also value my family’s lives more than I to put time in a death box.
What happened to the GM E300Plus launched in China and not available in the USA???? Properly advertised it would provide options for people of modest income, who will never own the all electric Cadillac in 2022. GM, please learn from the EV1 experience. There is already an all electric car being launched in Dallas Texas as of August 18th called the KANDI , models K23 and K27, made in China. GM needs to show commitment to Electric vehicles as we begin to make a transition from ICE to electric!
at that price point with an added 50 miles in the bargain, I think anyone who lives in any kind of quasi metro small town where groceries and a hardware store are a “thing” these would be the NEXT VW beetle….
How did that work out.???
Reminds me of those tiny Japanese cars that wouldn’t be deemed safe in US. Only difference is that the Japanese cars are cooler.
Look at the young couple advert. A partial Chevrolet bowtie logo is viable behind the front roof facade. I guess the logo must be respected?
Steve, I feel that in the scheme of automotive history, we are at the beginning of a transitional period, gradually phasing out ICE vehicles in favor of electric. Vehicles will become more “purpose built”. Examples would be ARCIMOTO out of Oregon and SOLO out of British Columbia. They represent “purpose built” city/urban type vehicles, electric, and affordably priced for people with limited resources, a market sometimes neglected because of lower corporate profit margins. GM is working on their OPTIUM batteries which is a step in the right direction. Ranges should improve for electric cars as our battery technology improves. If we don’t do it in the USA, other countries will. I noticed that one well known chain of gas stations in the Southwest is going to install charging stations for electric cars. The times are changing but we have gone through it before and survived. We successfully made a transition from the horse and buggy to the internal combustion automobile sometimes called the horseless carriage! Time, technology, commitment will ultimately tell this story.————————-Freddie
I’m wondering if a two of these would be as comfortable for Howie Long, as a pair of SKECHERS.
Great move by GM.
Glad to hear this little city Car is selling. When people in China do the math they realize how this little Tiny car is a great choice for their Big crowded city living. It is so cheap it can literally be peoples “City Car” while they have a much bigger and more powerful vehicle for everything else. I have family that lives in Europe and almost all of them utilize a tiny “city car or Scooter” and they have their regular cars on top of that.
IMHO, it will be a long time before America goes away from ICE engines. There are many reasons for this, largely that there simply won’t be enough generation to go around if they keep closing all the coal and natural gas fired power plants. Solar and wind have their obvious limitations and realistic, affordable storage and generation, sans subsidies, is still a long way off. I can only speak for myself, but living in a rural area where my job can take me 500-600 miles in a day, i don’t see EV working for me anytime soon. I know there are many of you out there who believe EV is the future and that may be true. Just not where I live and I have zero desire to move to a busy metropolitan area where EV could be the future.
The push for EVs comes from Ignorant politicians and CEOs who look at EVs as the only way to reduce CO2 emissions. Carbon capture is a technology is a promising technology that will not only potentially reduce CO2 emissions from cars, but also from power plants that would otherwise be overtaxed if the whole fleet of vehicles went to electric.
Remember automotive history. When the first internal combustion machines came on the scene in the early 1900s, people and horses were frightened by their presence. Rules were made opposing the “infernal combustion engine”. In some places you were required to send someone waving a red flag to warn the citizens that a “horseless carriage” was approaching. Today, electric vehicles could pose a threat to the gas and oil industry but, perhaps opportunities for utilities corporations. One way or the other, it will cost the end consumer more each year to operate either gas or electric vehicles. I agree that carbon capture is a good idea and it can certainly operate, hand in hand, with other creative alternatives to transportation. The biggest issue is to have an attitude of compassion, civility, willingness to listen to new ideas. America has always had people who are willing to dream and commit their resources to new ideas that, if successful, could change the world. As far as politicians go, I will not throw them all in the same barrel. We have good ones and bad ones. I hope America can find issues that cause us to support one another, including electric cars and carbon capture efforts.
In the spirit of Gm Authority comment-makers…
“Why isn’t this offered with the L-something V8? How stupid IS GM!”
“I won’t buy it unless it has a heads-up display!”
“Another one of Mary Bara’s ideas…!”
And, I will poke some fun at myself. “The center console is too big!”
(what did I miss? to the moderators, this is all in good fun.)
Gm is not serious about going electric. When they did not offer a EV Silerado or express van but instead offered a EV hummer, they showed the plan is to burn up as much oil as possible to generate gas sales for those that have stock in oil or get taxes from it. That and to make a vehicle that is engineered to break as much as possible to drive the parts and repair industry. Gm makes such cheap plastic parts that should be metal that they are just not product to be relied on other than to fail all the time at the worst times. GM is a bad girlfriend that is abusive yet one finds oneself going back over and over. Thank God the Hot new girl in town is sooooooo cool and reliable. Because really, settle for a GM EV when you could drive a Tesla? Have you driven one yet? You will never go back. GM shows you nothing.
Where do you get your information?
Decades of living with, driving and working on the GM product….
Seniors living near most amenities, on a budget and able to plug-in each nite,compared to muscle car Melvin with four kids and already in debt up to his neck, and wanting to see the nation on a two week vacation. It’s 4G’s with wheels, DUH!!!
BUT YOU IN THE US CAN’T HAVE ONE!
I’d buy it tomorrow if offered in the USA. It’s the perfect city car for my retired lifestyle. For the two or three times a month that I need to visit friends out of town, I’ll take my ICE machine. In a couple of years I’ll bet this little car be selling in the millions to every young Chinese family. Too bad GM has no vision in the U.S.
i think it would be great for small communities for senior citizens or older people that just go to the local shopping centers local shopping etc etc then use the gas cars to go on longer trips, would be better and more comfortable than golf type cars ( and cheaper too) i would buy one to use local!