Chinese EVs are making their presence felt more and more these days. At a recent media preview event, the Dongfeng Box debuted in Malaysia. This marks a significant moment as Malaysia becomes the first country outside China to introduce a Right Hand Drive Dongfeng Nammi 01, the Box’s name in its home market.
In November last year, China Dongfeng Motor Industry, on behalf of the Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor Corporation, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia.
Dongfeng and Pekema have inked a memorandum of agreement to bring the Dongfeng Box electric vehicle to the Malaysian market. Although the first units will be imported, local assembly in Malaysia is planned for the future. Once local production starts, it is expected that the vehicle, which was displayed in a pre-production version, will be exported to other ASEAN nations.
The Dongfeng Box will enter the market as a direct competitor to the BYD Dolphin. Comparing its measurements to those of the BYD Dolphin, which is 4,290 mm long, 1,570 mm tall, 1,770 mm wide, and sits on a 2,700 mm long wheelbase, the Box is 4,030 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, 1,570 mm in height, and is supported by a 2,660 mm wheelbase.
Performance-wise, the Box has a front-wheel drive (FWD) single motor producing 93 horsepower and160 Nm of torque, that generate a top speed of 140 km/h. China’s CLTC test findings suggest that the Box boasts maximum range between 330 and 430 kilometres, but expect that number to be closer to 280 to 380 in the real world.
The Malaysian-spec Box’s safety requirements are still pending but it should have Level 2 semi-automated driving assistance, which includes active cruise control (ACC), lane-keeping assistance, frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and an automated parking feature, if it is based on the China-spec Nammi 01.
There has been a slight delay in the Box’s market introduction, which was originally scheduled for mid-2024. Currently, the goal is to launch it by the end of 2024.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
First things first–the name ‘Box’ is about as interesting as calling a wall ‘brick.’ Please use the other name. The Box has a soft, rounded—some may say even cutish—exterior, and will land in showrooms by the end of this year as a bonafide rival of the BYD Dolphin. It certainly has street presence but the trick will be whether it can match the Dolphin’s range and price.