Asian EV Manufacturers You Should Know

Some Are Coming to the USA; Some Are Here

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Asia’s EV market is growing rapidly. Most people are aware of key players like Hyundai and Nissan, but there are so many other EV manufacturers that are taking over Asia—and possibly set to conquer the international market, including the U.S. Below are just some of the EV manufacturers worth knowing about.

BYD Auto

BYD Auto is currently the top-selling EV manufacturer in the world, having overtaken Tesla in late 2023. It is also currently the best-selling car brand in China. The company was formed in 2003 and has seen a steady growth since then—selling a variety of different models, including hybrids and all-electric cars. It ended production of pure internal combustion engine cars last year. A number of dealerships have already sprung up across Europe, so it’s possible BYD cars could soon become a more common sight in the West. Already, BYD buses are common across the US.

VinFast

VinFast is a Vietnam-based company that was established in 2017 by Vingroup. In the few years they have been in production, they have successfully conquered the Vietnam EV market with a range of electric cars and scooters. Now, they plan to sell to markets abroad, already launching dealerships in the US and Germany. Their affordability could potentially make them a popular choice as more car owners look to buy an EV on a tight budget. [Clean Fleet Report reviewed the Vinfast VF 8 here.]

Zhidou

Zhidou is a Chinese manufacturer of electric microcars. Their first model, nicknamed the ‘wise bean,’ won a ‘Green Car of the Year’ award in 2013. Since 2015, the company has produced ZD models primarily for the Asian market. However, Zhidou has sold a number of cars in Italy and several other European countries. As a niche microcar manufacturer, they definitely show potential.

SAIC Motor

SAIC Motor is a Chinese state-owned car manufacturer that has been in operation since 1955. You may already be familiar with some of the successful international brands that they sell under including MG, IM and Maxus. SAIC has sold thousands of electric cars (among the millions of cars it produces annually) to the Chinese market and are known for their affordability. Under MG, which is the best-selling Chinese brand in the UK, they already have several electric car models in production, with plans to introduce many more over the next few years.

Mahindra

Mahindra is the largest Indian vehicle manufacturer. Beginning as a steel trading company in 1945, Mahindra would eventually branch out into automobiles after forming a partnership with Jeep in the 1970s. They currently produce mainly SUVs, but have produced many different vehicles over the years. The XUV400 is the company’s latest EV, designed as model with a futuristic look to rival Tesla. The company has already opened up dealerships across Europe and North America.

Ola

Ola is another Indian EV manufacturer with a focus on scooters. Two-wheelers account for 80% of vehicles sold in India. Ola has plans to dominate this market as the world goes electric. They have seen a steady growth over the last few years since they were founded in 2017 and currently sell four models of scooters with plans to start selling motorcycles and cars in the near future (all of which will be electric). Ola’s focus is still very much on the Indian market, but this may change in the future.