Jiangsu Min'an Auto "Lantu"

dmitra · Nov 2, 2018

Minth Group, a supplier of auto parts globally, based in Ningbo (Zhejiang), has been operating in mainland China for more than two decades. The corporation is owned by Taiwanese tycoon Chin Jong Hwa. In late 2010, the group set up Jiangsu Min'an Automotive Co. Research Institute in Huai'an city for R&D on auto parts and small electric vehicles. In 2011, Min'an acquired the IP for lightweight aluminum body technology from Italian light-vehicle maker Grecav. A number of car prototypes, big and small, were unveiled over the next few years.

In 2015, Chin Jong Hwa and the Huai'an city government entered into a 50:50 joint venture, Jiangsu Min'an Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd., to set up an industrial park for mass production of electric vehicles. This project was to be realized by the Jiangsu Min'an Automotive Co. Research Institute (now Jiangsu Min'an Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd. Research Branch).

In November 2016, Jiangsu Min'an Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd., surprisingly, became the fifth company to receive EV project approval (under the new rules) from NDRC. Earlier this year, the factory was completed.

Today, Min'an rolled out "A2001", a prototype of its first mass-market electric SUV, likely to go into production in 2020 under the brand "Lantu" (澜图). No further details have been disclosed.

Links:
https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201811/924518.html
https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201811/924485.html

NDRC project approval:
http://www.ndrc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbqt/201611/t20161121_827342.html

Financial/corporate profile:
Jiangsu Min'an Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd.

Min'an Auto website:
http://www.minanmotor.com
http://www.jsminan.com

Minth Group website:
http://www.minthgroup.com

Lawrence · Nov 2, 2018

Another "Lantu" ?
I guess there will be no conflict with Jiangxi Lantu Automobile Co., Ltd the Tech-New subsidiary seen here at CCF in 2016 since the name seems to have changed to Hanteng?

www.chinacarforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26762&highlight=Lantu

I also seem to remember a Lantu LSEV made by Jinhai New Energy Vehicles Co.,Ltd. as well.
As the auto industry field becomes more crowded I guess these naming conflicts will become more common.

dmitra · Nov 3, 2018

Shandong Jihai Lantu: 揽途
Min'an Lantu: 澜图
Lantu Auto (parent of Hanteng): 蓝途

Likely the tonal pronunciations are going to be different, and even their meanings.

The Chinese populace can jolly well distinguish between Suzhou 苏州 (Jiangsu) and Suzhou 宿州 (Anhui), Fuzhou 福州 (Fujian) and Fuzhou 抚州 (Jiangxi), Taizhou 台州 (Zhejiang) and Taizhou 泰州 (Jiangsu), so shouldn't be a problem really

P.S.: Fun fact:- Consulting a character dictionary, there are 19 lan in Simplified Chinese, 26 in Traditional; 4 tu in SC and 24 in TC, with multiple meanings for most individual characters.

==============

Off-topic:

Lawrence said:
I guess there will be no conflict with Jiangxi Lantu Automobile Co., Ltd the Tech-New subsidiary seen here at CCF in 2016 since the name seems to have changed to Hanteng?

www.chinacarforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26762&highlight=Lantu

Lawrence is referring to this post of mine from the Hanteng thread:

The manufacturer is Jiangxi Hanteng Automobile Co., Ltd (汉腾汽车), established in 2013 as Jiangxi Lantu Automobile Co., Ltd (蓝途汽车 "Landtourer"). The company has been founded by the Tech-New Group (铁牛集团 Tieniu) of Mr. Ying Jianren, that is also the controlling shareholder of Zotye Holding Group.

As for that post, that was preliminary information, as reported in the media when Hanteng was just announced; now we know that was incorrect and Lantu Auto actually is the major shareholder of Hanteng, so two different companies. Please refer to my Zotye Group diagrams.

Lawrence · Nov 3, 2018

Your responses are always enlightening and informative, D.Mitra, and I enjoy reading the results of your careful research. Thank you.
In my view, in a very competitive industry that has developed a truly global character over time, naming is critical to success. Some Chinese companies are conscious of this and some are not. Of course those which have no global aspirations can choose whatever name they prefer.
Remember the "Datsun" brand transition to Nissan..., and Acura's dropping of the successful "Legend" brand? These decisions had consequences in the marketplace.

And looking back in China, "Jili Automotive", conscious of the importance of naming,chose to name itself, Geely; "Qirui Automotive" chose to name itself, Chery; Second Auto Works chose to name itself, Dongfeng; BAIC Futian chose to rename itself, Foton, etc..
However, for these smaller companies using the same name Lantu, it won't make much difference, as intense consolidation draws closer.

dmitra · Nov 3, 2018

It's also a pleasure interacting with you, Lawrence.

Hanteng's parent Lantu Auto won't likely be selling cars under that name as Lantu acts like a holding company.

As for Jihai Lantu, I seriously doubt whether Chinese LSEV buyers even bother about model names as long as there is a good bargain and a just-about acceptable product (at best, long-established company brand names like Yogomo/Yujiema or Shifeng may elicit some top-of-the-mind recall).

For the time being, looks like only Min'an is set to sell something under a proper "Lantu" brand (provided they stick with it till the end).

dmitra · Mar 21, 2019

One picture published on website www.jsminan.com

Full size (1500 x 1000 px):

dmitra · Aug 15, 2019

MX-6 (no, not the Mazda!):

Dimensions (mm):
Length: 4701 Width: 1889 Height: 1706
Wheelbase (mm): 2705

Power (kw)
125

Source: MIIT

http://www.miit.gov.cn/datainfo/viewCar?carId=266239#

dmitra · Nov 20, 2019

Min'an ET-5

Min'an Auto has been facing financial difficulties for about a year, and it is reported to have stopped further work on productionizing its first SUV, the MX-6. It did not have the capital to invest in the construction of molds/dies (for stamping body and other panels), and calibration and debugging of the production chain (stamping, welding, painting) could not be carried out. Min'an also risks cancellation of its hard-won EV production license if it cannot mass-produce its first vehicle within a stipulated time, so the company seems to have decided on assembling vehicles of other manufacturers, in this case JMEV. This will also require less capital than manufacturing a whole new vehicle from scratch.

Min'an has been granted approval for producing the EVEasy EX5 (former E400) from JMEV under a new brand, 敏拓 (Minta or Mintuo) with a new logo. The car itself will be badged ET-5. It is powered by a 60 kw motor.