Would You Buy a Chinese EV If It Cost Only $11,000?

Chinese automaker Dongfeng is turning a new leaf with its compact and affordable Nammi 01 EV hatchback that launched this week, which presages a new Nammi brand set to expand with more models and into the European marketplace later this year. Around the size of a Chevy Bolt here in the U.S., this new Chinese EV should be even more of a bargain, as it claims to offer more than 200 miles of range at a starting price of less than $11,000 at current conversion rates. We just don't get deals like that in the U.S.—though the soon-to-die Bolt is pretty darn affordable—and it makes you wonder if there could even be a market for it here. Given the Bolt's late-life success after big price cuts, there could be an appetite for something even cheaper—but does the Nammi 01 even seem any good?

What Do You Get for $11k?

The new Dongfeng Nammi 01 EV hatch is based on Dongfeng's Quantum Architecture S3 platform, and it is exclusively available in a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous e-motor setup good for 70 kilowatts, or 94 horsepower, and 118 lb-ft of torque, claiming an ambitious-seeming top speed of 87 mph. So, it's not exactly the high-speed highway cruiser your average American commuter is probably looking for, to be fair.

Prices do start at $10,530, and the jump to $14,750 only grants more range, not more power. Chinese-market customers have the choice of 31.5- and 42.3 kWh LFP battery packs that offer either up to 205 or 267 miles of claimed range on the Chinese efficiency test cycle.

Design Beyond Value

The Nammi 01 design clearly takes inspiration from the latest Smart brand's compact lineup look, with organic and flowing lines and surfaces and bend into one another. There's a theme of interruption, with the fascia stabbing into the headlights, split taillight units, and a window profile that cuts off the rear pillar. Note the premium-seeming frameless door treatment and hidden door handles. The charging door is located over the front-right wheel, often considered the "safest" location to keep it secure in the event of damage to the vehicle or a crash. Two different two-tone paint applications are available, with five total different colorways for the exterior.

Inside, there's mostly black with either white or grey accents available, with a hefty OTA-capable 12.8-inch touchscreen hovering over the dashboard coupled to a 5-inch driver display. The car also comes standard with a host of Level 2 driver assistance tech, including blind spot monitoring, remote and autonomous parking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Front passengers can enjoy a one-button lie-flat mode (likely to relax while charging), as well as a wireless phone charging pad and 32-color ambient lighting. It's like a pocket-sized Mercedes in there, or at least, that's what they'd want you to think.

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Would It Sell Outside of China?

Dongfeng reportedly has plans to start selling its new Nammi brand in Europe later this year or next year, though it's expected that the starting price will jump significantly (possibly to the equivalent of around $28,000). Back in August, the company also claimed that the platform the Nammi 01 is based on would eventually be compatible with emerging solid-state battery technology one day. The Chinese-market pricing is a consequence of localized production and materials sourcing, and no cross-border taxes or fees, which would quickly swell once the Nammi shipped to a different market.

As for the U.S. market, there's likely zero chance of this car (or brand, or automaker) coming here, at least in the near-term. The rumored European market adoption already shows what importing the car to a different market will do to the price tag, and without local manufacturing or materials sourcing, the car wouldn't be eligible for any U.S. government tax credits regardless of whether or not it had some sort of inflated import price. Then there's the issue of what the consumer wants; while many try to argue there's dwindling or lacking demand for compact EVs in the U.S., sales of the popular Chevy Bolt hatch and EUV prove a model like the Nammi could be marketable, though it's more likely the Bolt's extensive U.S. service network would be missed by the Nammi owner.

All that to say that the Chinese automotive manufacturing base is aware of the cash cow that is the North American market, and has begun planting seeds for a expansive future in Mexico and Canada so far. To find out where the U.S. stands in the mix, check out MotorTrend's documentary about Chinese autos in Mexico from last year right here.