(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The Wuling HongGuang MiniEV electric mini-vehicle has been spotted on several streets in Hanoi , attracting much public attention as it will be the cheapest car that Vietnamese customers can choose.
At least two HongGuang MiniEVs were spotted near Hoan Kiem Lake a few days ago. Later, social media users posted images of similar vehicles parked near West Lake. This suggests that the launch date for this mini electric car is very close.
The HongGuang MiniEV has garnered attention for promising to be the cheapest car in Vietnam. Using an electric motor, it belongs to the mini-car segment, meaning it's even smaller than A-segment cars like the Kia Morning, Hyundai Grand i10, or Toyota Wigo. The product is assembled and distributed in Vietnam by TMT Motors through its factory located in Hung Yen .
Speaking to the media, a representative from TMT Motors stated that the HongGuang MiniEV will be launched in a Standard version, equipped with a 9.6kWh battery and offering a maximum range of 120km on a single charge. The Advanced version will feature a 13.4kWh battery pack and a range of 170km on a full charge.
A representative from the distributor has not yet announced the price but revealed that "people with average incomes of 13 to 15 million VND/month will also have the opportunity to access it." Meanwhile, an unverified document circulating on social media suggests that the Standard version is expected to cost 235 million VND and the Advanced version 255 million VND.
Questions raised before the launch date.
The novelty of electric vehicles in general, coupled with the Vietnamese people's anticipation for an affordable car model, has made the HongGuang MiniEV highly anticipated. This is also why customers have many questions about the product before official information is released.
According to Deloitte Southeast Asia's 2023 Global Automotive Consumer Research report, only 3% of Vietnamese respondents said they expected an electric vehicle range of less than 200km on a single charge. 16% expected a range of 200-299km, and 27% expected a range of 300-399km.
Based on the report, the HongGuang MiniEV only met a very small fraction of consumer expectations for an electric vehicle. It's unclear what standard was used to calculate the 120-170km range of the HongGuang MiniEV, but the actual range is usually less. Electric vehicles are also advised against letting the battery drop below 20% and against fully charging it to 100%.
The price has not been confirmed, but based on leaked information and initial product specifications, Vietnamese consumers still have high expectations. The official selling price, as well as sales policies, charging stations, warranty, etc., may be announced by TMT Motors at the end of this month.
Even before its official launch, the HongGuang MiniEV faced its first challenges when VinFast announced its entry into the mini-car race with the VF 3 model. It wasn't until September that the Vietnamese automaker released details and began accepting deposits, with deliveries expected by the end of 2024, but even that was enough to put pressure on TMT Motors.
VinFast has a slight advantage in terms of brand recognition and familiarity with Vietnamese customers. Its extensive network of public charging stations is also a valuable asset. The VinFast VF 3 itself boasts slightly better basic technical specifications than the HongGuang MiniEV, but we still have to wait for the official pricing of both vehicles.
dantri.com.vn
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