Dongfeng launches sales of budget EV in two European markets

Chinese automaker Dongfeng has launch sales of its new Nammi brand in two European countries, Norway and Switzerland.

Dongfeng's Swiss importer, the Noyo dealer group, is marketing the Nammi Box small electric crossover at a base price of 21,990 Swiss francs (€23,000).

The size and price of the 4030-mm long Nammi Box means it will compete in the same segment as EVs such the Citroen e-C3 and upcoming Fiat Grande Panda.

Unlike the Nammi Box, these competitors have battery-electric and combustion engine versions.

The Nammi Box was launched in China in January under the name Nammi 01. It has a 70-kilowatt electric motor at the front.

It comes with a choice of two LFP battery sizes. One variant has a 31.5-kilowatt-hour battery capacity enabling a 330-km range under the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) and a second with 42.3-kWh capacity, giving it a 430-km range,

A WLTP range of 310 km is advertised on Noyo's Swiss website alongside the 42.3-kWh battery. It is unclear whether the smaller battery will be offered in Europe.

The Nammi Box is also set to be launched in Norway, where the vehicle will be called the Dongfeng Box with prices starting at 189,000 kroner (€16,000), according to the electrive website.

With Switzerland and Norway, the Nammi brand is targeting countries where Dongfeng is already represented by its Voyah premium brand.

According to Dataforce, Dongfeng sold 234 units of the Voyah Free large electric crossover in Europe in the first half.

Dongfeng is in talks with the Italian government to build cars in Italy, Reuters reported.

Dongfeng would join Chinese automakers including BYD, SAIC's MG Motor and Chery that are planning to add European production.

Their Europe-built cars would avoid high import tariffs the European Union has imposed on Chinese-made EVs.

Chery plans to start assembly of the Omoda E5 electric crossover at a former Nissan plant in Barcelona in the autumn.

BYD is building a car factory in Hungary, with another on the horizon in Turkey.

Stellantis partner Leapmotor has begin production of the T03 city car at a plant in Tychy, Poland, where Stellantis builds Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars.