Hyperdrive
China EV Maker Betting on Cult Status to Sell a Million Cars
- SAIC-GM-Wuling makes the Mini, a hit with young, female buyers
- Company first built huge following around its small, boxy vans
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Since last July, a little-known automaker in China’s southwest has dominated the world’s largest electric car market, outselling bigger players and even Tesla Inc. almost every month with a tiny, bare-bones EV that starts at just $4,500.
The Hongguang Mini is the brainchild of SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., a joint venture between SAIC Motor Corp. and Guangxi Automobile Group Co., two state-backed automakers, and U.S. giant General Motors Co.