Geely Group’s Livan Automotive has pulled the covers off its latest entry in China’s booming micro-EV segment. It bears a name that is all too familiar to the Belgian public: the Livan Smurf, named after the beloved comic characters from Peyo, is a compact, four-seat hatchback priced to compete directly with bestsellers like the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.
The Smurf is essentially a rebadged and restyled version of the Geely Panda Mini EV, which has already proven popular in China with more than 100,000 units sold in the first seven months of 2023. While the Smurf shares its platform with the Panda, it adopts a playful new identity.
Blue-and-white livery
The design features a boxy silhouette, round headlights branded as “Forest Spirit Eyes,” a smiling front fascia, and, of course, blue-and-white paintwork that nods to the Smurf comic characters from Belgium. There is no evidence of an official licensing agreement with the rights holders, but the inspiration is unmistakable.
The interior follows the same lighthearted approach with rounded shapes, a two-spoke steering wheel, a rotary gear selector, a floating infotainment screen, and a choice of pastel colour schemes. Despite its compact footprint, Livan markets the car as a true four-seater for urban families.
LFP battery pack
So how small is it? At 3,100 mm long, 1,558 mm wide, and 1,610 mm tall, the Smurf is nearly identical in size to the Panda Mini. It is classified as a micro-EV and parks on a single tile, so to speak. It features a 2,015 mm wheelbase and a curb weight of 815 kg. Additionally, the price is far from exorbitant, as it is expected to cost under $5,000.
The powertrain consists of a single 40 hp electric motor, capable of delivering a top speed of 100 km/hour. While the final specifications are pending, preliminary numbers suggest that the Smurf will utilize a 17 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate pack, offering an estimated range of 200 to 210 km under CLTC standards.
Will Geely ‘get smurfed’?
The Smurf’s arrival underscores the fast-growing competition in China’s micro-EV market, which has become one of the hottest contested vehicle categories. It was first popularized by the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (from a joint venture between SAIC and General Motors), which has already sold 1.5 million units since its launch five years ago. It is now the best-selling electric car in China.
These inexpensive city cars drew buyers with low running costs, quirky styling, and surprising practicality in crowded urban settings. Other domestic challengers include the Chery QQ Ice Cream and FAW’s Bestune Pony, both similarly targeted at young, first-time buyers. For Geely, the Smurf represents more than just a cosmetic spinoff. It is part of Livan’s push into affordable electrification, complementing its parallel strategy of battery-swapping EVs.
Livan, created in 2022 as a joint venture between Geely and Chongqing Qianli Technology, is positioning itself as a mobility brand spanning both entry-level EVs and next-generation energy solutions. Does the Smurf name resonate far enough in China to beat Wuling? Or will Geely ‘get smurfed’ because it turns out that the company nicked a name without the consent of Peyo’s heirs? Time will tell.
