A Chinese Electric Car May Compete Head-On With Market Leader Tesla, and Prices Are Attractive
An affordable electric car, sold in China for around US$ 4,500 (R$ 24,000), is becoming more popular than the sophisticated vehicles from rival American automaker Tesla. The compact electric car has proven to be a huge success for the state-owned SAIC Motor, the largest automaker in China. Named Hong Guang Mini EV, the electric car was developed in a business partnership with General Motors (GM), one of the giants in the industry.
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Last month, sales of this electric car were twice as high as its rival Tesla, which recently faced questions about the safety of its factory in China.
New Chinese Vehicle Promises Headaches for Rival Tesla, Even With Supposedly Inferior Specifications
Automotive experts said that, although the Chinese electric car is clearly behind its rival Tesla in terms of battery, range, and performance, its convenience and low price have made it one of the best-selling vehicles based on new energy sources in China.
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Toyota sells a “Family Spin” cheaper than the Chevrolet Spin in Brazil, with 7 seats and a price starting from around R$ 70,000 in tax-free conversion; Avanza 2026 has a 1.3 or 1.5 engine, manual or CVT transmission, 205 mm ground clearance, and a family proposal that Brazilians don’t have in Indonesia.
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Five used cars that can handle 100 km per day without breaking the bank, but experts warn that even the most durable ones may hide expensive repairs if they’ve gone years without proper maintenance.
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Dodge Charger Daytona receives solid-state battery in real test and reignites the race for lighter electric cars, faster to charge and with more range.
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Hyundai Staria Hybrid arrives as a “premium Kombi” hybrid with 7 or 9 seats, 1.6 turbo engine, 54 kW electric motor, spacious cabin, Relaxation seats, and a work van version with 3 or 6 seats in Europe.
The vehicle, which was launched in 2020, reaches a top speed of 100 km/h and can accommodate four people snugly.
Chinese Government Aims to Reduce Pollution with Innovation in Electric Cars
“The Chinese government takes pollution reduction seriously and has become a global leader in the adoption and promotion of innovation in electric vehicles,” says Shaun Rein, director of the China Market Research Group, to the BBC.
“We remain very optimistic about the adoption of low-cost electric vehicles, like the Hong Guang Mini EV, and even the more sophisticated ones, such as NIO and Tesla.”
To promote these new cars, the Chinese government offers guarantees to buyers and even exemptions from fees and taxes, which is very beneficial. In many cities, acquiring a gasoline-powered car can take months, if not years, because it relies on an auction system.

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