China-based real estate corporation Evergrande Group decided to impress the audiences by founding two companies for making, selling and servicing electric cars. The new marque Hengchi (“Eternal speed”) should hit the showrooms next year.
To emphasize the gravity of its intentions, Evergrande revealed as many as six EV concepts at once – three crossover SUVs, a couple sedans and a van. All six received numbers instead of names.
The Hengchi 1 is a D-class sedan with 3,150 mm (10.33 feet) of wheelbase and 22-inch wheels. The second one is a compact B-class sedan with same-sized wheels. The third one is a mid-size SUV. The Hengchi 4 is a seven-seater minivan and also the only model to sport Evergrande branding on its body. Models 5 and 6 are both A-class compact SUVs, the latter having a coupe-like shape.
The Hengchi 1, 2 and 4 were designed by Anders Warming, ex-Chief Designer for MINI. The design team also includes Michael Robinson, who had previously worked at Bertone.
The budding enterprise intends to produce “only” 100,000 cars per year at first, but quickly reach 1,000,000 units and ultimately hit 5,000,000 units in between 10 to 15 years’ time. Sales will be international.
The Hengchi 1 will celebrate its live premiere later this year, and while the specific date remains undisclosed, September 26 at the 2020 Auto China show seems very likely.
Editor Andrew Raspopov