This tiny $4,400 EV with 23 horsepower that can seat 4 is outselling the Tesla Model 3 in China

Tim LevinMay 2, 2021, 19:05 IST

The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is about as long as a Smart ForTwo.Wuling Motors

The Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV is outselling Tesla's most popular car in China.
The tiny electric car starts at around $4,400 at current exchange rates.
It can go just over 100 miles on a charge and hits a top speed of 62 mph.

A tiny bargain-bin electric car is outselling the Tesla Model 3 in one of the US carmaker's most crucial markets.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

In March, the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV was China's most popular EV, selling 39,745 units, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

That's compared to just over 25,000 of Tesla's best-selling Model 3 sedans sold over the same period.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The Mini EV was launched in July through a joint venture between GM and two Chinese companies: Wuling and SAIC.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The model starts at the equivalent of around $4,400, but a fully-loaded version will run you closer to $6,000.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The tiny hatchback is just under 115 inches long and roughly 59 inches wide.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

For reference, a Fiat 500 is around 140 inches long. The Mini EV is closer to the size of a Smart ForTwo.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

It has around 26 cubic feet of cargo space, roughly the same as a Fiat 500. Wuling says it can fit a stroller or two small suitcases.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

That's with the rear seats folded down. Yes - believe it or not, the Mini EV does have room for four passengers.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The Hong Guang Mini EV can only go around 105 miles on a charge, but it's meant more for urban driving than long road trips.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

It makes a claimed 27 horsepower and has a top speed of 62 mph.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The Hong Guang Mini EV, of course, isn't in the same league as Tesla's premium electric sedans and SUVs.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The Model 3 delivers almost 300 miles of range in its base configuration.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

The Tesla also costs almost 10 times more than the Hong Guang Mini EV, retailing for right around $39,000 in China at current exchange rates.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

Tesla hasn't indicated it has any plans to go after China's budget-EV market, but it is developing a $25,000 EV at its Shanghai plant.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV. Wuling Motors

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This tiny $4,400 EV with 23 horsepower that can seat 4 is outselling the Tesla Model 3 in China

A tiny bargain-bin electric car is outselling the Tesla Model 3 in one of the US carmaker's most crucial markets.

In March, the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV was China's most popular EV, selling 39,745 units, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

That's compared to just over 25,000 of Tesla's best-selling Model 3 sedans sold over the same period.

The Mini EV was launched in July through a joint venture between GM and two Chinese companies: Wuling and SAIC.

The model starts at the equivalent of around $4,400, but a fully-loaded version will run you closer to $6,000.

The tiny hatchback is just under 115 inches long and roughly 59 inches wide.

For reference, a Fiat 500 is around 140 inches long. The Mini EV is closer to the size of a Smart ForTwo.

It has around 26 cubic feet of cargo space, roughly the same as a Fiat 500. Wuling says it can fit a stroller or two small suitcases.

That's with the rear seats folded down. Yes - believe it or not, the Mini EV does have room for four passengers.

The Hong Guang Mini EV can only go around 105 miles on a charge, but it's meant more for urban driving than long road trips.

It makes a claimed 27 horsepower and has a top speed of 62 mph.

The Hong Guang Mini EV, of course, isn't in the same league as Tesla's premium electric sedans and SUVs.

The Model 3 delivers almost 300 miles of range in its base configuration.

The Tesla also costs almost 10 times more than the Hong Guang Mini EV, retailing for right around $39,000 in China at current exchange rates.

Tesla hasn't indicated it has any plans to go after China's budget-EV market, but it is developing a $25,000 EV at its Shanghai plant.