Meet Hedmos, yet another EV brand for China

The Dongfeng-Peugeot-Citroen joint enterprise in China has shared some images of its first production vehicle – an SUV set to reach the market under “Hedmos” branding. CarNewsChina believes that the same car had been certified by Dongfeng before the company decided to release it under an all-new brand name.

Specifically, reporters checked the local Ministry of Industry database and found some patent images of an SUV referred to as the Dongfeng Fukang 06. A closer look at its tailgate reveals the lettering “Hedmos”. It looks like the brand has been a while in the making.

According to the patent info, the Fukang 06 is mid-sized at 4,670 mm (182.4 inches) long, 1,900 mm (74.2 inches) wide and 1,617 mm (63.2 inches) tall. A single electric motor rated at 218 PS (215 hp / 160 kW) lets it hit 170 km/h (105 mph) at most.

Reporters from CarNewsChina speculate that the first Hedmos EV will go on pre-order next month and will cost between 100,000 and 150,000 Yuan. It likely won’t have any dealerships of its own, because the local Dongfeng-Peugeot and Dongfeng-Citroen showrooms should be able to handle the sales.

You may be wondering why the French-Chinese joint enterprise needed to sprout yet another sub-brand for yet another electric car. We suspect that the answer is as simple as declining sales. With the French car brands selling increasingly poorly in China, introducing a new badge may revive the demand.