Weirdly-Named Chinese Car Can Teach Tesla A Few Lessons About Range

byGerhard Horn Electric Vehicles /43 Comments

This state-owned manufacturer is getting serious range from its first EV sedan.

China is currently the most prominent car market globally, which means it will likely dictate the future of the automobile industry. Considering what Chinese manufacturers are doing in the EV segment, is that a bad thing?

首先,快速浏览一下2020年的全球汽车销量figures. Around 19.8 million new vehicles were sold in China. The USA finished in second place with 14.5 million vehicles. Whoever makes manufacturers the most money is the most important. It's basic economics.

Considering China is the largest automotive market globally, we know very little about it. We know that many manufacturers are setting up shop on that side of the globe to get a slice of the action.

Mercedes-Benz ismaking China its second home, and Ford recently startedmanufacturing Mach-Esin the east.

Changan

https://twitter.com/GregKable/status/1475764402683097094

To be blunt, it doesn't seem like they need any help. The Chinese brands are doing rather well. As per Greg Kable's Changan's first C385 sedan recently rolled off the factory floor. Okay, so maybe the Chinese need some help naming things. If Stellantis could send someone from Dodge over, that would be great.

Odd naming aside, it's this EV's range we're interested in the most.

According to the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, the C385 is capable of more than 600 kilometers on a single charge. That's roughly 375 miles, which means this humble, oddly named Chinese sedan has more range than all but two EVs currently on sale in the USA.

Changan

TheTesla Model SLong Range has an EPA-estimated range of 405 miles, while the stunning new Lucid Air Dream Edition has anEPA range of 520 miles. The Tesla starts at $90,000, while the Lucid costs about $170,000. The pricing for the C385 has not been revealed, but we'd be surprised if it cost a third of the Tesla's retail price.

This verified range fits in nicely with Changan's new slogan, "journey without anxiety." Changan also appears to be on the verge of launching its first electric SUV, called the Uni-Kidd.

It looks like a sweet ride, but seriously, somebody needs to go over there and help with the names.