Things happen really fast in the mini EV world, unlike in the traditional ICE automobile world. Traditionally, consumers would have to wait for long periods in between new models. Sometimes people would have to wait for 7 or so years for a new model of their favorite car. In between that time, OEMs could offer a cosmetic facelift edition, but not much more. It seems as though Chinese mini EV firms, however, are beginning to have a refresh cycle that is closer to mobile phones than to traditional automakers. The so-called “New Energy Vehicles” (NEVs) can be considered to be gadgets on wheels, so perhaps this is one of the main drivers of the frequent refreshes. (In China, plug-in hybrids and full battery electric vehicles are known as NEVs.)
Chinese automakers are also pushing more connected vehicles and are positioning some of their product offerings to ride on trends that appeal to the younger, new generation of car buyers. As Jose Pontes puts it, “The Wuling EV has become a trendsetter and a disruptive force in urban mobility, a true EV for the masses, with the added bonus that the people buying it (mostly females, mostly under 35 years old) are usually a hard-to-capture audience.” This approach has opened up a whole new market in China, with several firms now bringing out small EVs in the same class as the mini EV.
The SAIC, GM, and Wuling joint venture SGMW shows us just how agile and fast operators in the mini EV industry can be. A short while after they introduced the original Wuling HongGuang Mini EV that has been a huge success in China, they introduced several variations and upgrades to the mini EV. These include the colourful Macaron edition, the Cabriolet version, the Gameboy Edition, and an upgraded Wuling Air version. All of this happened in about 3 years.
The soon to be released Baojun Yep mini electric SUV. Image courtesy of SGMW.
This mini EV segment is now very competitive as more OEMs join in on the action, resulting in a plethora of mini EV models. The SAIC, GM, and Wuling joint venture now wants to step it up a notch as it aims to maintain its leadership in this segment. SGMW is bringing out some pretty cool designs under its Baojun brand. The all new Baojun Yep mini urban SUV hasn’t even gone on sale yet, but SGMW Design is already starting to tease a really cool looking pickup version of the Baojun Yep. Here are the specs of the original (yet to be released) mini SUV EV version which should hit stores in China soon:
The Baojun mini SUV EV has a single 68hp (140Nm) electric motor and a top speed of 100km/h, so it’s not just for your short neighborhood run. It has a 28.1 kWh LFP battery that is said to enable a 303 km range under the CLTC (Chine Light Duty Test Cycle). The SUV is estimated to start from around $13,000.
The soon to be released Baojun Yep mini electric SUV. Image courtesy of SGMW.
The soon to be released Baojun Yep mini electric SUV. Image courtesy of SGMW.
The soon to be released Baojun Yep mini electric SUV. Image courtesy of SGMW.
The mini pickup EV, should it be confirmed beyond these early promotional images, should probably get the same specs. Could the SAIC, GM, and Wuling joint venture release this pickup in the very near future? I hope so, and I hope both the mini SUV EV and this pickup also get right-hand-drive versions and that Baojun ships these globally soon. Would you want one of these? Let us know in the comments section.
The potential Baojun Yep mini electric pickup. Image courtesy of SGMW.
The potential Baojun Yep mini electric pickup. Image courtesy of SGMW.
The potential Baojun Yep mini electric pickup. Image courtesy of SGMW.
The potential Baojun Yep mini electric pickup. Image courtesy of SGMW.
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