Chinese car companies target premium electric vehicle market
The premium electric car segment is set to become more competitive, with new brands being revealed by Chinese car giants.
Chinese car giants Geely and SAIC have unveiled new brands in recent days, with the companies targeting the luxury electric vehicle (EV) segment.
Earlier this week, Geely announced it would launch a new premium EV brand called Zeekr, with plans to offer models around the globe.
The car maker says Zeekr models will offer an "unrivalled luxury experience in terms of comfort and performance".
The new Zeekr range will sit alongside Geely's other brands, including Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Proton, Lynk & Co, Geometry, and the London EV Company.
At the same time, SAIC – which sells cars under MG, Maxus, and Roewe badges – has also announced a new upscale EV brand, known simply as 'R'.
The brand revealed its striking R ES33 concept car in recent days (shown above), which some are suggesting could be related to the recently-unveiled MG Marvel R.
The concept is said to have 33 sensors on board, including a 4D imaging radar, Luminar lidar, laser radar, and an ultrasonic radar.
While not playing in the luxury EV space, the Great Wall Motors Chairman Wei Jianjun has said his company will spin off a new brand called Tank, due to the popularity of the Tank 300 SUV sold under Wey brand in China (shown below).
Though the Tank 300 off-roader has yet to be announced locally, Australian patent filings suggest it may only be a matter of time before it's sold here – likely to be badged as a Haval, rather than under the Tank brand.
In December 2020, news outlet Reuters reported Great Wall Motors was also planning its own premium EV brand – referred to internally as the 'SL project' – with a spokesperson for the company saying at the time "the big tide has come, we will join the game".
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