The Chinese Automotive Invasion: Affordable Cars Headed to Vietnam in 2023

The second half of the year is set to witness a surge of Chinese-origin vehicles entering the market. Notably, these newcomers predominantly belong to the affordable car segment, with some models even expected to be priced below VND 200 million.

Omoda C7

Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam has announced plans to launch the Omoda C7 SUV, marking their second introduction after the Jaecoo J7 and ahead of the Omoda C5. With dimensions of 4,660 x 1,875 x 1,670 mm (LxWxH) and a wheelbase of 2,720 mm, the C7 is a formidable contender.

Customers can choose between a gasoline or PHEV powertrain. The gasoline variant features a 1.6 TGDI engine, while the PHEV combines a 1.5 TGDI engine with an electric motor, delivering an impressive fuel efficiency of 5.9 liters/100 km and a total range of 1,250 km per charge.

The Omoda C7 is poised to compete in the SUV segment. Image: Omoda.

Pricing for the C7 has not yet been disclosed. In the Vietnamese market, the SUV segment is currently dominated by the Mazda CX-5 (priced from VND 749 million to VND 979 million) and the Ford Territory (VND 759 million to VND 889 million). Other notable competitors include the Honda CR-V (VND 1,029 billion to VND 1,259 billion), Kia Sportage (VND 819 million to VND 999 million), MG RX5 (VND 739 million to VND 829 million), BYD Sealion 6 (VND 799 million to VND 899 million), and more.

BYD Atto 2

BYD dealerships have started taking reservations for the all-new Atto 2 SUV, expected to launch in the third quarter of this year. Positioned in the B-segment, the Atto 2 boasts a powerful electric motor generating 174 horsepower and 290 Nm of torque, enabling it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds.

Equipped with a 45.12 kWh battery pack, the Atto 2 offers a maximum range of 380 km on a single charge, as per the NEDC cycle. Dealerships have hinted at a competitive price of around VND 669 million, placing it squarely against rivals such as the Geely Coolray (VND 538 million to VND 628 million), Omoda C5 (VND 539 million to VND 669 million), Mitsubishi Xforce (VND 599 million to VND 705 million), Toyota Corolla Cross (VND 820 million to VND 913 million), Hyundai Creta (VND 599 million to VND 715 million), and the Kia Seltos (VND 599 million to VND 764 million).

TMT Motors’ Nano S05 EV

TMT Motors has announced an ambitious plan to introduce four new electric vehicles in the latter half of the year, including the Nano S05 EV, a mini 2-door model. With dimensions of approximately 2,400 x 1,380 x 1,580 mm (LxWxH), the Nano S05 EV is designed for maneuverability in tight urban spaces.

The Nano S05 EV is equipped with a battery pack that offers a range of 120-150 km per charge. It features two charging ports, enabling convenient charging at home or via public CCS charging stations. Although the official price has not been revealed, TMT Motors has indicated that the Nano S05 EV will be priced slightly higher than premium scooters available in Vietnam, suggesting a price tag of under VND 200 million.

While the failure of the Wuling MiniEV serves as a cautionary tale, TMT Motors’ ambitious plan to install 30,000 charging stations across Vietnam could give their electric offerings, including the Nano S05 EV, a competitive edge.

Geely EX5

Geely has been showcasing the EX5 SUV at various events this year, hinting at its upcoming launch in the Vietnamese market. With dimensions of 4,615 x 1,901 x 1,670 mm (LxWxH) and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the EX5 is a formidable contender in the C-segment.

Powered by a 214-horsepower electric motor and a 60.22 kWh LFP battery pack, the EX5 offers an impressive range of 430 km on a single charge. While pricing details are yet to be confirmed, industry speculation suggests that the Geely EX5 could be priced similarly to the BYD Atto 3, which currently retails between VND 766 million and VND 886 million.

However, like many other Chinese electric vehicles in Vietnam, the EX5 faces the challenge of limited charging infrastructure. Without significant progress in addressing this issue, attracting a wider customer base may prove difficult.

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