This Chinese EV Starts At Under $14,000

Another day, another new electric vehicle coming out of China, and this time it arrives courtesy of the brand Xpeng. Called the M03, it’s the first model of the Mona Series. This is a new line of electric vehicles that will start with tthe sedan. Previously believed to be an independent subbrand under Xpeng, the company decided it was best to keep it simple from the beginning instead of trying to do something like what Jeep attempted to do with Wagoneer.

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According to CarNewsChina, MONA stands for “Made Of New AI”, as the vehicles will focus on intelligent driving courtesy of a collaboration between Xpeng and Didi, the Chinese mobility giant. The model will be produced at the same facility in China as the Xpeng P7, and it should arrive with a starting price of around $14,000 and top out at around $21,000.

Details On The M03

The model features T-shaped headlights and taillights making it reminiscent of Polestar and Volvo models like the EX90 and Polestar 3. The silhouette reminds us of the Model 3, especially with the flush door handles, but it offers a pretty prominent front splitter, ducktail spoiler, and interesting elements on the C-pillar that give it a style more of its own. The model also looks like it will fall into the boring color trend, as it will debut in Beige, Blue, and a dual-tone Beige-Blue. Exciting.

Volvo

Volvo was founded in 1927 by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson in Gothenburg, Sweden. Today it is owned by Geely Holding and is well known for its luxurious and safe vehicles.

For a model that’s going to focus on technology, not much technology can be seen from the exterior. Some sensors and cameras are visible on the front bumper, but a LiDAR isn’t immediately obvious. Being released on the company’s Fuyao architecture, it will come with an advanced suite of safety features. Finally, the battery comes courtesy of BYD’s Blade LFP. Byd is also focused on its own vehicles at the moment, and will supposedly achieve 500 km (310 miles) of range on the CLTC cycle.

Onslaught Of Chinese Models

Every week we’re talking about another Chinese EV, whether it be the newest 300-mile Honda or a handsome off-roader that only costs the price of a Nissan Versa. The Chinese EV industry is a force to be reckoned with as the country has wholeheartedly adopted electric vehicles, and it’s gotten to the point where even Elon Musk sees them as a larger threat than he does the competitors in his own country.

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The massive influx of vehicles has lawmakers scared too, as they’re not only dirt cheap, but they’re actually pretty good in many cases. This has led to the introduction of protectionist tariffs like the 102% one on Chinese-made EVs that will make offering electric vehicles in the US a non-starter for most Chinese companies. This protects models like the $96,000 Hummer EV SUV from being undercut. While this means we won’t see the M03 on US shores anytime soon, it’s best to keep in mind situations can change quickly.

Source:
CarNewsChina