BAIC (Beijing Automotive) has unveiled in China its first self-developed electric car, the BE701. The BE701 was built by BAIC’s Beijing New Energy Automotive subsidiary.
Claimed specifications for the car so far looks pretty decent – a 200km range on a full charge, 0 to 100km/h in 15 seconds, and a top speed of 160km/h, which are quite acceptable figures for a car. Maybe not for a car that looks as grand as the BE701 but anyone could live with those sort of specifications.
The 200km range will of course keep it as a city solely for city use, but it will be more than enough for a day’s use before getting to a charge point for an overnight charge.
Beijing Automotive also announced a new clean energy vehicle development and manufacturing facility which it built for 2.28 billion yuan (RM1.13 billion). The facility will be able to churn out 50,000 EVs and 100,000 hybrid models annually.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments generally acknowledge China's rapid advancements in automotive technology, including their move into electric vehicles (EVs). Many express skepticism about China's claim of 'self-developed' vehicles, suggesting they mainly rely on copying or reverse engineering, with concerns about originality and quality. Some praise China’s growing innovation and market potential, while others worry about branding and design identity, often comparing Chinese cars to established Japanese or Korean models. There is also pride in Malaysia’s automotive industry, particularly Proton, with some comments wary of China’s rapid progress. Overall, the sentiment is mixed—recognition of China's technological growth, skepticism about the authenticity of China's 'self-developed' claims, and hope for improved quality and innovation in Chinese electric cars.