Miles ZX40 / Qingyuan Xinfu Happy Messenger
This little electric run-about started off as a Daihatsu Move, much like the Perodua Kenari we see on our local shores. Chinese automotive manufacturer FAW took it, and rebadged it for the Chinese market as the FAW Xinfu, or it’s direct translation, the FAW Happy Messenger.
Then another Chinese company, Qingyuan ripped out the gasoline engine and put an electric motor in it. The result is the Qingyuan ZX40, which Miles Automotive of the USA is importing as the Miles ZX40. The 40 in it’s name likely refers to it’s 40 mile range, which is about 64 kilometers on a single charge. Or it could be it’s 40 km/h top speed. Not very feasible to replace your car, especially highway driving, but useful for the missus to do her groceries nearby.
The US$15,000 car is street legal in the US, but target customers are townships, military bases, ports and research institutions.
Miles Automotive and Qingyuan has bigger things in the works – the XS200 which will have a 200 mile (320km) range and an 80mph (130km/h) top speed.
August 14, 2006 @ 6:00 pm
What a funny name !
August 14, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
The looks doesn’t looked happy to me!
August 14, 2006 @ 6:29 pm
Hmmmm…looks like a Perodua Kenari to me.
August 14, 2006 @ 6:36 pm
hmm… another lame design from the china automaker…
August 14, 2006 @ 7:49 pm
wow.. electric motor… welll they better improve the milage and speed on this model! i just hope its wont be like GM story! the EV1.. bungkus already!
well done!
GO ELECTRIC!!
August 14, 2006 @ 8:33 pm
ok now i don wanna comment about the look cos its Move facelift. Bout the electric motor, i’ll buy it for casual use if cheap. i mean short journeys which u dont hv to rush… better than ride motorbike even though the speed is 40km/h only. n its electric! no fuel required! even the US wants it…
August 14, 2006 @ 8:39 pm
bluek !
my eyes……..
August 14, 2006 @ 9:32 pm
Messenger? Hehehe…I guess they spent too much time chatting on MSN and/or Yahoo Messenger…
August 14, 2006 @ 10:26 pm
Electric car, still long way to go!
August 14, 2006 @ 10:36 pm
looks like it gona break down if u stare at it for too long!
August 15, 2006 @ 3:47 am
e-nabilll .. a good one! to me its looks pity! same story like unser with that bodykit on it. trying to make it look new..
they should have take the kelisa body and stick the electric motor.. then my gf will jump for joy!
August 16, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
dono how to walk so fast run… later terjatuh baru bagus ah!
August 17, 2006 @ 9:16 pm
If these techies can hantam Sarawak roads,a good buy one….mind the range too…
August 17, 2006 @ 11:36 pm
Nice to know that our kenaris are much better looking than those.. And kenaris looks happier too! haha
electric is a nice thingy.. but adoi.. worry about the electric bill cost pulak? now with the tariff high enough and the car needs to recharge everyday i think its better to stick with petrol since malaysia doesnt cut taxes on hybrid or electric vehicles..
September 4, 2006 @ 8:19 pm
[...] More photos after the jump, including photos of the car’s interior which features a center-mounted dashboard meter panel very similiar to the Naza Sutera’s. FAW was also the company responsible for the FAW Xinfu Happy Messenger electric car. [...]
September 10, 2006 @ 12:25 am
wooow….and i thought the perodua kenari was ugly
November 8, 2006 @ 4:41 pm
erm.. paul.. unless you didn’t know.. you got the translation wrong~
XinFu is chinese for bliss.. not happy messenger..