Foreign automakers compete in China’s electric car battle

World
Europe

03:15

Auto China 2018, a week-long auto show, had a successful exhibition earlier this month in Beijing. Over 1,200 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions showed their newest models. Regarded as the world’s largest auto show, Auto China 2018 presented the country's ambition to spearhead the industry’s shift towards electric vehicles (EV).

Jaguar introduced its first fully electric SUV, the I-PACE, at the auto show this year. China is a significant market for this British automaker, and with nearly one in every 50 cars sold in China being electric, the executive Director for Jaguar Land Rover China, Pan Qing, indicated his confidence for EV to take on the mainstream market in the near future.

Volvo-owned Polestar is a new electric car brand, and its enigmatic Polestar 1 was launched to compete in the fierce global EV battle. The company has a plan to manufacture 500 Polestar 1 units in its new facility in Chengdu, China later this year. Worth 182,000 US dollars, the sports coupe has 600-horsepower and a 150km pure electric range.

EVP & Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman shared Aston Martin’s plan to join the EV race. The luxury sports car brand intends to launch a limited production run of 155 Rapide units in 2019. This first all-electric model demonstrates Aston Martin’s strong desire to deliver a new breed of car that meets future mobility demands.

For more in-depth information, catch Louisa Lee’s interview with these automakers.