Geely Zhidou (D1, D2, D3)

[dmitra]

I see an AEV badge in one of the pictures. On their website, they are calling it the AEV 2. They are importing the Yogomo MA4 (AEV 1) as well.

Also see:
http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=7829191&show=2
https://www.facebook.com/ttdsystem

[dmitra]

Facelift of the Zhidou D1, which is a version of the Zhidou 301/Zotye Zhidou E20 made by the Geely-Xindayang JV at Lanzhou, Gansu.




Source: cn-truck.com

Also see: http://club.autohome.com.cn/bbs/thre...9369001-1.html

[dmitra]

Exhibited at the "EVS28" electric vehicle symposium in Goyang, S. Korea:

http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201505/871332.html

[dmitra]

http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series/3827.html

[CCF mod]

More photos of D2
http://pic.315che.com/serial/51583.htm
http://auto.315che.com/ztzhidoud2/










more at:
https://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/seri...areaid=2023559
https://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/seri...areaid=2042220

https://mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/album-90/foto/23922687
https://mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/album-90/foto/23922686
https://mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/album-90/foto/23922685
https://mojalbum.com/martinkrpan/album-90/foto/23922688

[dragin]

Thank you for that info Dmitra.
What I find interesting and ironic is that although these three auto makers, Kandi, Geely and Zotye, produce their own EV models independently, they have turned to Xindayang for this Smart-like, and Smart-sized, model.

[dmitra]

@Dragin:
It could also be the other way round. Perhaps the LSEV makers are desirous of marketing their NEV-rules compliant vehicles and gaining that all-important NDRC type approval quicker by partnering with a major (read: already licensed) manufacturer. What cars these LSEV makers offer their principals are usually a segment below the NEVs offered by the "major" makers themselves or a product not previously in their lineup (development/R&D costs are saved, in the latter case).

That being said, in the case of Geely and its partners (Kandi, Xindayang), there are actually joint production ventures. For the others, i.e., Xindayang/Zotye, Mengde/Youngman, Guangma/Youngman, Rainchst/JMC, it is more of an expedient marketing arrangement, although I would not rule out some KD assembly, if at all that takes place.

Other marketing-type arrangements include Mengde/Dongfeng and Mengde/Lifan, but those are for LSEVs only.

[dragin]

Would like to have just half of your much coveted sources, Dmitra. :-)
Here is a link with words that support what you have said.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300151187.html

It seems that the NDRC are still dragging their feet with regards to setting LSEV manufacturing and licensing policy.
As for Mengde, it seems they are among the more active in partnering.

[dmitra]

Thanks, Dragin, for that link.

As for NDRC dragging their feet:

With the tightening of NEV criteria year by year ("double 80" rule will become "double 100" in 2016; the road map from there on is already published), it is very much possible that NDRC never develops any policy towards LSEV standardization. What they will perhaps do (my educated opinion) is try to nudge/push the LSEV makers into developing NEVs which they can then properly certify.

The LSEV makers need not even develop brand-new vehicles for this purpose. With necessary investment into R&D, they can re-engineer existing models into NEVs. As only those companies which are higher up on the financial and technological ladder would be more likely to go this route, this could well be a method by which the authorities set the "men" apart from the "boys", thus paving the way for eventual certification and subsidies.

The first baby steps have already been taken. The above-mentioned makers (Mengde, Rainchst, Xindayang, Guangma) have demonstrated that they are capable of adapting their LSEVs to NEV standards (their cars winning NDRC approval, albeit via third party). For the present they have devised a short-term, stopgap solution of partnering with established manufacturers. Long-term, who knows, they might want to market NEVs independently, depending upon how the market for EVs matures.

Sorry if that was long!

[dragin]

Current EV development, and related government incentives seem to be gaining momentum, and so in line with your thinking, I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the more creative LSEV makers graduate to the big league of NEV. Of course it's all going to depend on that hoped for early recovery from the latest downturn of the economy.

As for the double 80 rule, you enlightened me as to the name of the gov't policy set around 2013, "双八十". For our friends out there who were in the dark, like I was, an EV must be able to run as fast as 80 km/hour, and as far as 80 km on one charge to be allowed on public roads.

Thanks as well for the heads up about those four LSEV makers who are distinguishing themselves in the field.