The Aiways U5 SUV will be the first Chinese electric car on the European private car market in April 2020 /Instagram @aiways_auto
Fiscal market choice
Aiways, which has its head office in Shanghai, is now test-driving its car from China to Europe over a distance of 14.000 kilometers. While the Dutch market is the first to receive the U5, the car will also be available in Germany, Norway, and Sweden.
“The company chose these markets because of their beneficial climate for driving electric,” a spokesman says. “In these countries, electric cars are popular, they are fiscally advantageous, and the loading infrastructure is good.”
Aiways doesn’t know yet through which channels the car will be delivered. Whether it will start its dealer network, use that of other brands or sell the car online will be determined later this year. Who will take care of maintenance is also still a question mark.
Chinese adventure
Aiways is a start-up but has already invested 1,7 billion euros in a new manufacturing plant in Shangrao (China). At the moment, the plant has a production capacity of 150.000 cars a year. Plans are to expand the capacity to 300.000 vehicles.
Meanwhile, electric cars are under pressure in China. The government is phasing out incentives for electric cars in favor of hydrogen cars.
The European car industry will closely look into the plans of Chinese car manufacturers. Analysts have been warning for some time that the Chinese are miles ahead of the Europeans when it comes to developing electric cars.
Nevertheless, it’s not easy for Chinese manufacturers to gain access to the European market. Thunder Power wants to produce a small electric car in Belgium from the end of next year, but the process isn’t going as smoothly as hoped.
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