China’s Wuling Hongguang Mini EV launches the electrical convertible convertible

Wuling Motors unveiled a convertible model of its popular budget mini-electric car at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2021.

Evelyn Cheng | CNBC

SHANGHAI – General Motors’ China joint venture launches a miniature electric convertible under a budget brand that has grown in popularity over the past year.

The convertible, known as the Hongguang Mini EV Convertible, will begin mass production next year, according to a publication. Details of pricing and availability were not available at the time the vehicle was unveiled at this week’s Shanghai Auto Show.

The car is the latest in the popular Hongguang Mini EV line developed by General Motors’ joint venture with Wuling Motors and the state-owned SAIC Motor. GM China owns 44% and SAIC 50.1%, according to GM’s website.

The first Hongguang Mini EV launched in July with a starting price of just a few thousand US dollars. According to the company, more than 270,000 units were sold in 270 days.

This Mini EV was second only to Tesla’s Model 3 in terms of the number of new energy cars sold in China last year, climbing to first place in the first quarter according to the China Passenger Car Association.

Another new model of Hongguang Mini EV, the Macaron, has received more than 45,000 orders in just 10 days, according to a release.

General Motors and its joint ventures delivered more than 780,000 vehicles in China in the first quarter of 2021, with the Hongguang Mini EV accounting for around 9%, according to GM.