Dongfeng Motor, one of China’s largest automakers, has made its first venture into the European market with the launch of its new electric vehicle (EV), the Nammi Box.

The Nammi Box, priced at around €23,000 (£19,615 or $25,000) in Switzerland, positions itself as one of the most affordable EVs in Europe. This competitive pricing puts it in direct competition with other budget-friendly EVs such as the Citroen ë-C3, which starts at £21,035.

Dongfeng’s new offering is a compact hatchback measuring 4.03 meters in length. The Nammi Box is powered by a single 94-horsepower electric motor and features a 42.3 kWh battery, providing a WLTP-rated range of 310 km (193 miles).

As for the interior, the Nammi Box arrives with a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 5-inch digital instrument panel. A unique feature of the EV model is the ability of the front seats to recline flat, doubling as makeshift beds.

Dongfeng’s European strategy begins with the launch of the Nammi Box in Switzerland and Norway, where it already has established sales structures through its Voyah subsidiary. There are also reports of advanced talks between Dongfeng and the Italian government regarding the potential establishment of a manufacturing plant in Italy according to Reuters. This move could allow Dongfeng to circumvent new European Union tariffs on Chinese EVs, which can be as high as 37.6% on top of existing tariffs.

With the launch of the Nammi Box in Europe, companies including BYD, Chery, Great Wall Motor (GWM), and NIO have all made similar moves in recent years. Now, the entry of Chinese automakers like Dongfeng with competitively priced offerings may accelerate EV adoption in Europe. 

Although it remains to be seen how European buyers will respond to this new entrant, Dongfeng’s Nammi Box could be just the beginning of a new chapter in the European EV market as an affordable option for buyers looking to switch to EVs. 

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