The Chinese May Finally Be Coming—With Electric SUVs
Guangzhou Automotive Corporation (GAC) unveiled a surprising battery-powered compact crossover and a compact sedan, the GA4, as part of their display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. The Chinese manufacturer plans to start selling cars in the U.S. by the end of next year.
The pure-electric Enverge crossover concept boasts a 71-kWh battery good for a range of 370 miles, according to Zhang Fan, GAC vice president of engineering. The zero-to-60 time is a quick 4.4 seconds, and top speed is about 99 mph. Fan claims the car has off-road ability as well.
The EV concept features butterfly doors typical of a concept car, rooftop storage and detachable fog lamps that can be used as flashlights. The interior “feels like a floating space capsule,” according to Fan.
While the Enverge attracted the most attention with its extreme styling and features, the more traditional looking GA4 sedan could be sold in the U.S. as well. GAC likely will start with its competitive GS8 three-row crossover.
As it begin to build its dealer network, GAC is also planning facilities in Los Angeles and Detroit after opening an R&D center in Silicon Valley last year.
GAC, the sixth largest Chinese automaker, sells cars and SUVs in China under the Trumpchi name, but will use a different English brand name in the U.S. The company, founded in 2008, is growing fast, and hopes to sell a million cars worldwide in 2020, which would represent a 25 percent growth from its current sales numbers.
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