The SAIC–GM–Wuling (SGMW) three way partnership has been setting the traits in China with regards to cool, reasonably priced, mini EVs. After the smash hit Hongguang Mini EV and its many flavors, together with the colourful Macaron Version and the Cabriolet model, SGMW is about to unleash the Baojun Yep Mini SUV. However earlier than the Baojun Yep enters the stage, the SGMW three way partnership has launched the Wuling Bingo, a 5-door compact hatchback that’s bigger than the Hongguang.

Listed here are the specs of the Wuling Bingo: The Bingo’s dimensions are 3950/1708/1580 mm with a wheelbase of 2560 mm. It should have two choices, one with a 30 kW (41 hp) motor and one other with a 50 kW (68 hp) motor. These choices will are available a 17.3 kWh and a 31.9 kWh model with a spread of 203 km or 333 km, respectively. It additionally begins at a really appetizing $8,682 in China. That’s $8,682 for a good 5-door automotive with a 17.3 kWh battery and a 30 kW (41 hp) motor. Not dangerous.

Lots of people outdoors of China, and maybe in China too, thought that the Hongguang Mini EV was tiny, however it’s not as small as you’d suppose. The Wuling Bingo is right here to deal with the wants of these customers who would favor a barely bigger 5-door compact hatchback that’s in a phase much like widespread ICE hatchbacks such because the Ford Fiesta. The Bingo even comes with a reasonably large boot (trunk) that comes as much as 790L with the rear seats folded down. It additionally has two screens, a 7″ instrument panel, and a ten.25″ infotainment display screen. It has voice recognition, 4 audio system, and a few good high quality imitation leather-based for the upper trim variations.

So, the SAIC–GM–Wuling (SGMW) three way partnership gave individuals in China an choice that they wished, a bigger compact EV hatchback. How did the market reply? Effectively, the response has been fairly good. Wuling introduced yesterday that it bought 16,383 models of the Bingo final month, in its first full month of gross sales. So, it seems to be like SGMW has one other smash hit on the playing cards.

Wuling Bingo EV bought 16,863 gross sales final month in China!

Might there be extra excellent news about this Wuling Bingo within the close to future for individuals outdoors China?

It seems to be prefer it. If we check out Wuling’s model philosophy and comply with Wuling’s model story, automobiles with the Purple Wuling badge are for the native Chinese language market and automobiles with the Silver Wuling badge are for the worldwide market. The Wuling Bingo already comes with the Silver Wuling badge, so we might see it in some markets outdoors of China sooner relatively than later. Moreover, the Wuling Air is already being assembled in Indonesia and is now on sale in India, the place it has been rebadged because the MG Comet. Hopefully we are going to see an “MG Bingo” in India as properly. If the Bingo will get a right-hand-drive choice very quickly, I hope it’s going to additionally go to extra markets world wide as shortly as attainable.  After a very long time of ready, we’re lastly getting into the age of reasonably priced EVs! Thrilling instances forward.

All photographs courtesy of Wuling