Chinese automaker Dongfeng has launched its affordable electric hatchback named “Nammi Box” in Europe. It is already available in Switzerland where it starts from 22,000 CHF.
Customers in China get two battery sizes to choose between – 31.5 and 42.3 kilowatt-hours. Only the bigger one is offered in Europe. It is claimed to be enough for 311 km (193 miles) of WLTP-rated range. A single electric motor drives the wheels with 94 PS (93 hp / 69 kW).
For the time being, Dongfeng plans to ship the cars to Europe in a preassembled state. That said, talks are already underway with the Italian government about a permanent factory in the region. If the Nammi Box goes into production there, it will be exempt from high EV import tariffs and much more competitively priced. In the meantime, market observers expect it to compete against B-class hatchbacks like the Peugeot 208.
The same vehicle is available in China under the name “Nammi 01”. It has been available to preorder since last November and rides on the company’s latest platform known as the S3. The whole car is 4,030 mm (157.4 inches) long with 2,660 mm (103.9 inches) between the axles. Diamond-stitched leatherette is the default interior trim. The top speed is capped at 140 km/h (87 mph).