It is stylish. From the side and rear, it resembles the Ford Mustang Mach-E. And the front? - It has common features with Porsche. The Seres 5 is a modern crossover with 4-wheel drive and a large battery pack, and it also has dealers all over the country - and eventually all of Europe. See pictures!
Part of European investment
I got to study at Seres Oslo Motor Show. Behind Seres Norway stands a company wholly owned by the Sandven group in Bergen. When Seres 5 is introduced on the Norwegian market, 20 well-known dealers from Tromsø in the north to Kristiansand in the south are ready to receive customers. The car brand is owned by the Chinese conglomerate DFSK (Dongfeng Sokon). The European venture was announced on Brussels Auto Show in January. In addition to Norway, a full dealer network has been established in France, and several countries will open shortly. When we previously told you that Seres was coming to Norway, the agency was linked to the Gill group, but the brand remained unknown to most. Now it has been taken over by Seres Norge.
Presented for all of Norway at the Oslo Motor Show
Interior in Amber Brown leather with wood inlays. Note the design of the gear selector.
Good legroom in the back seat
Seres 5 in a nutshell
With a length of 4,7 metres, the Seres 5 is as long as the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It has a design that appeals to Europeans, with large wheels and accent lines form rather than space. Furthermore, it has a battery pack of 80 kwh, two engines and 4-wheel drive, as well as a long range – 483 km (WLTP combined). In total, the engines produce 585 hp and it is possible to cover 0-100 in 4,2 seconds. The luggage compartment holds 367 liters under the hat shelf and 67 liters in the "frunk". With the seats folded down, you can load 723 litres. The model is approved for trailers up to 1500 kg. according to Rune Brunstøl, sales manager in Seres Norway, only the top model is taken in. "Flagship 4WD" has a very high level of equipment which - as far as I can see - has "everything". Today's model has otherwise received a facelift with changes to the front and interior, including the gear selector, which has a new and cool design.
A global brand
In early press images, you can see Seres 5 with Golden Gate Bridge in the background. In the marketing, it is emphasized that Seres is a global car brand. The majority of production is carried out at factories in China, but the owner group, DFSK, also owns a production plant for electric cars in Indiana, USA, and has development departments both in Silicon Valley and in Japan. In any case, the company has succeeded well in creating an appealing appearance. I observed that several visitors to the Oslo Motor Show were surprised that the cars were manufactured in China.
Seres 5. Stylish coupé-like end of the rear.
Purchase or lease
The price is NOK 599. It includes an assistant package, panoramic sunroof and trailer hitch as part of a launch offer. Leasing starts at NOK 900 with 6 deposit, and is reduced in proportion to the deposit. Many choose leasing due to uncertainty related to new technology and newly established car brands. Leasing feels safer and when you calculate the total costs after actual loss of value, the final sum for owning and leasing often ends up being the same - given that you exchange after the same time interval.
beings 3
Seres Norge will also offer a smaller model in the model programme. There are already several Seres 3 in this country. The model has recently received a facelift. The front of the electric cars has now been changed so that it looks more modern and has gained more "class", without the large petrol engine grill. The final price has not yet been agreed with the factory, but Brunstøl assumes that it will end up around 300. The Seres 000 is a crossover in the B segment with a range of just over 3 km.
BYD Dolphin – promising compact electric car from China that might be brought into Norway? (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
A year ago I wrote about Chinese cars under the title " The Chinese are coming! " Back then, the proportion of Chinese cars was insignificant. If we look at the registration statistics, 30% of all electric cars are Chinese – and the percentage is rising *)
The very first Chinese electric cars
Just a year ago – in December 2020 – Chinese cars were something completely new. BMW had started production of its new iX3 in Shenyang. The Polestar 2 had been delivered to the very first customers. The MG ZS EV had just started delivering cars. Xpeng had just entered the market, but had not yet delivered any cars. If we look at the registration statistics a year later, the Polestar 2 is in 11th place, the MG ZS EV in 17th place, the BMW iX3 in 20th place and the Xpeng G3 in 42nd place. The model that surprises the most in the statistics is the MG . It gives a lot of car for the money. The first customers complained about poor winter range, but that problem has probably been fixed in the software. The Polestar was predicted to reach the very top of the sales charts, but was overtaken by other, new models. The BMW iX3 is an SUV , but has lost out because it cannot be delivered with 4-wheel drive. Xpeng G3 has managed to gain a foothold in the electric car market.
Today's Teslas come from China
Tesla accounts for the largest increase in Chinese cars. Tesla Model Y and Model 3 top the sales lists and from this summer both models were taken in from Tesla's new factory in Shanghai. Tesla currently accounts for half of China-imported electric cars. The transition from California to Shanghai has happened quietly. It is not certain that new Tesla owners know that they have received a Chinese car? There is also no increased dissatisfaction with Chinese cars compared to those made in California. What's more, the Tesla Model 3 has never been cheaper than it is today. The differences between cars from the US and China may not be that great. Probably different suppliers of steel, as well as the fact that Tesla has announced that they have changed the software to be able to use Chinese-made electronic chips - although it is possible that those changes have also been introduced in the US.
What happened to the news from last year?
A year ago we trawled Chinese websites to find news about exports to Europe (Norway) - and who was responsible for the imports here at home. We could talk about projects before they were official, and we also made some speculations of our own.
BYD and Maxus
BYD Tang – new electric SUV with large battery and high performance (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
Both brands are imported to Norway by RSA Bil. BYD Tang is an exciting new product that has just gone on sale. It is in 14th place among electric cars sold in November. We also predicted that BYD HAN could find an audience in Norway – as a competitor to Tesla S. But it seems that most people prefer SUVs. Maxus Euniq 5 is more MPV than SUV. It is a 7-seater that offers a lot of space for the money, but loses out on low range, tricky trailer weight and no 4-wheel drive. On the list of electric cars sold so far this year, it ends up in 49th place.
Xpeng
Charging complications in SwedenXpeng P7 (source: www.xiaopeng.com)
Not only is Xpeng a new brand – it is also a start-up company behind it. – Zero Emission Mobility . Xpeng has managed to become an established brand, and their first model in Norway – G3 – is now on the roads. A year ago we speculated whether the Xpeng P7 would also be included. It is now on its way. The first cars have been registered and Xpeng could become a competitor to the Tesla Model 3. Perhaps it will be easier to gain acceptance for the Xpeng P7 since the Tesla 3 is also produced in China. And there are starting to be quite a few Tesla 3s on the road. A strange feature of the top model is the front doors that swing up at the front à la Lamborghini. XPeng calls it the “Peng Wing”.
The Gill group and DFSK
A year ago, everything indicated that the brands DFSK and Seres from the Dongfeng Motor Group were ready to be taken in by the Gill group and distributed through the same dealer network that sells Subaru. 2 DFSK Seres 3 have been taken in during 2021, but the websites for the brands have been removed. It became known that the Gill group did not want to bring in a new Subaru in 2021 due to the lack of plug-in cars in the model range. Now, however, Subaru has announced that they will come with an electric car during 2023 - which can be ordered in 2022. Perhaps DFSK and Seres could come into competitive conflict with Subaru's new electric car? The DFSK Seres 3 is a model that is the size of the Nissan Qashqai and can compete with the MG ZS, Peugeot e-2008 and Opel Mokka. It is a type of car that should be well suited for the Norwegian market.
We speculated whether anyone in Norway would be interested in Chery. Someone had plans for Chery, namely the RSA chain that sells BYD and Maxus. But since no Chery has been registered during 2021, it may take more than a year before Chery appears on the Norwegian market.
NIO
NIO ES8 – new model this year can change battery pack in 3 minutes (in China)
A year ago I wrote that NIO did not have a Norwegian representative, but they did – or established one shortly after we wrote about them. In China, NIO has built a network of battery stations where car owners can change batteries in 3 minutes . It will be exciting to see how this is introduced in Norway. However, I predicted wrongly which model would come to Norway first. I guessed ES6, but this year 147 of the largest model, NIO ES8, have been imported.
Hengchi and Hongqi
Hongqi E-HS9Hongqi a770There was a lot of money and big plans in motion when the newly started company Hengchi announced that they would start production of no less than 6 different models as early as August 2021. Now the start of production has been postponed to 2022. Hengchi will offer cars in the luxury class, probably in the million range and has no Norwegian representatives. When I wrote about Hengchi, I checked Hongqi [hå:sji] ("red flags"), - the big dictator's car that once transported Mao Tse Tung. Hongqi has previously made two models which in status and style were very reminiscent of Russian ZILs. The FAW group (First Automotive Works) is behind Hongqi. The company was formed during the communist era with technical expertise from the Russians. Never would I have thought that a Hongqi model would be taken into Norway! Primarily because of the brand's pompous character, - inspired by the pompous cars of yesteryear. But Norwegians love big SUVs. With a length well over 5 meters and a width of 2,01, the Hongqi E-HS9 is a model that can primarily offer the Audi e-tron competition - for those who are brave enough. Hongqi is brought into Norway by HBI Norge - a company in The Motor Group which, among other things, is known as an importer of Mitsubishi.
Increases diversity
Hongqi has an exterior reminiscent of a car Uncle Skrue might own. In a world where all cars look the same – shaped by wind tunnels – the Hongqi E-HS9 stands out as an original and fun design concept. It is also interesting to see that China has also received several new car projects - aimed at narrow groups. One such project is Songsan Motors, which has previously created a modern clone of the 50s Mercury Monterey. Now they are out with new models based on the Chevy Corvette C1. The cars have modern hybrid drive systems and safety adapted to today's requirements. It's not just about a style study, but fully drivable cars produced at one of BYD's factories. The pictured model will cost $160 in the US. If it were a pure electric car, you could buy it here without taxes.
Songsan Dolphin has drivetrain and undercarriage from BYD's parts warehouse. Currently, there is little information about the project. The car's hybrid drive is based on a 1,5 liter petrol engine and an electric motor. The battery capacity is 16 kwh. Length and width are respectively 480×185 cm. Thus, it is at least 30 cm longer than the original Chevy Corvette.
BYD Dolphin (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)TerjeWe offer one more photo of the BYD Dolphin (Zoe size). The special thing about this car is that it has an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. Two battery sizes, 30 kwh or 45 kwh. The BYD Dolphin is also adapted for 800V charging, which, according to the manufacturer, enables the car to receive electricity for 144 km (90 miles) in just 5 minutes. And if I'm being completely honest, I would be very skeptical about spending three quarters of a mill on an unknown car brand from China. But I wouldn't have any problems with a car for 200 - which the BYD Dolphin may end up with if it goes on sale in Norway.
*) The claim "every 3rd electric car is Chinese" is based on registration figures from elbilstatistikk.no for the entire month of November up to and including December 7, 2021. The fact that the trend is increasing is based on figures from the last two weeks. However, the figures are affected by Tesla's delivery times, which are batched.
The DFSK SERES SF5 is a crossover with a powerful battery pack and high performance that will arrive in Norway in 2021 (source: dfsk.com)
China's "New Energy" is forcing Chinese car manufacturers to switch to rechargeable cars. The transformation of the vehicle fleet in Norway means that new Chinese electric cars find their way here before other western countries.
Made in China
It is not certain that the dealers state that the new BMW iX3 is produced by Brilliance in Shenyang or that the Volvo XC60 is now produced in Chengdu together with Polestar. Other European car models are also fully produced in China, such as the Mercedes EQC, Volkswagen ID.4, Audi e-tron, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Tesla Model 3 – to stick to electric cars. These models are produced in China only to meet demand in the Chinese domestic market.
Chinese class trip
It is no secret that China has enjoyed formidable economic growth since the turn of the century. In 2019, 21 million cars were produced, of which only 3% went for export. The internal car market in China is unbelievably large, and Chinese people with strong purchasing power will not settle for anything. In addition, the Chinese authorities have introduced regulations with regard to "Corporate average fuel consumption and new energy". It is a program that will gradually switch domestic car production to "New Energy". The goal for 2020 is for 12% of all vehicles produced to be powered by electricity or hydrogen. Today, China is one of the fastest growing markets for rechargeable cars.
Much in common with Norway
It is the demand for electric cars that makes Chinese cars interesting in Norway. Today, Chinese car models are sent to Norway as the first western exporting country. Several completely new models are already in the focus of Norwegian players and may appear on Norwegian roads during 2021.
BYD Han – battery pack of 76,9 Kwh. Supplied with either front-wheel drive or dual motor four-wheel drive (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
BYD
BYD (Build Your Dreams) has already gained a foothold in Norway, primarily through the new electric articulated buses that run in Oslo. BYD's vans and passenger cars are distributed in Norway via RSA Bil . The model program currently consists of a van and an SUV – BYD T3 and BYD Tang . Norway is the first Western export country for these models. BYD Tang is a full-size electric SUV with a large battery, long range and Tesla performance. The red sedan in the picture is a Tesla S "look-a-like" that is not imported to Norway – for now. BYD Han ended up in 4th place among electric cars sold in China in October. This is one of several Chinese models that can give Tesla competition in Norway, provided the price is "right".
BYD Inn
Available as Luxury (FWD), Premium (FWD) and AWD
Battery capacity: 76,9 Kwh
Range:
– FWD: 605 km NEDC
– AWD: 550 km NEDC
Engine:
– FWD – Front: 218 HP, 330 Nm
– AWD – Front: 218 HP, 330 Nm – Rear: 268 HP, 350 Nm
0-100: 7,9s (FWD), 3,9s (AWD)
Length, width, height in cm: 498 x 191 x 150
Wheelbase: 292 cm
Not taken into Norway - but BYD has a Norwegian representative
Atmospheric interior in BYD Han – one of several Chinese Tesla challengersBYD Tang – new electric SUV with large battery and high performance (source: www.bydauto.com.cn)
THE WORLD OF Tang
Length, width, height in cm: 487 x 195 x 172
Wheelbase: 282 cm
Battery capacity: 86,4 kWh
Range NEDC: 505 km
Engine: 509 HP, 610 Nm, 4WD
0-100: 4,6 seconds,
Top speed: 180 km/h
Own weight: 2295 kg
Max trailer weight: 1410 kg
Price in Norway: 599
SAIC Maxus
Maxus is represented in Norway through RSA Bil . The vans e-Deliver 3 and EV80 have had the greatest success. Among others, Posten and Bring have purchased several cars. The Maxus Euniq 5 is a 7-seater passenger car for 400,000 that also comes on green plates. It is undoubtedly a lot of car for the money.
The Maxus Euniq 5 is sold as a 7-seater or on green labels (source: www.maxus.com)
Maxus Euniq 5
Length, width, height in cm: 482 x 182 x 179
Wheelbase: 280 cm
Battery capacity: 52,5 kWh
Range according to the factory: 260 km WLTP (combined) and 356 km (urban).
Engine: 177 HP, 310 Nm, front wheel drive
Top speed: 160km/h
Own weight: 1810 kg
Number of seats: 7
Max trailer weight: 400 kg
Price in Norway: 399
The MG ZS EV was the best-selling Chinese electric car model in Norway in 2020. Sold through Norwegian dealers.
MG ZS
Length, width, height in cm: 431 x 181 x 164
Wheelbase: 259 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 141 HP, 353 Nm, FWD
Top speed: 140 km/h
0-100: 8,2 seconds
Battery capacity: 44,5 Kwh
Range: 263 km WLTP
Trailer not possible
Price in Norway (Comfort): 239
– (Luxury): 259
Xpeng is considered China's 10th largest electric car manufacturer. This summer, the Norwegian importer ordered 100 cars of the G3 model. Norway is the car brand's first export country and opening to the European market - something that was highlighted in the Chinese press. Xpeng is being brought to Norway by Zero Emission Mobility . The company was founded by the people behind Norske Bunader , who have made success by sewing Norwegian national costumes in China. Today, cars and national costumes are imported from the same premises.
Xpeng G3 (source:xiapeng.com)
XPeng G3
Length, width, height in cm: 445 x 182 x 161
Wheelbase: 263 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 194 HP, 300 Nm, FWD
Battery capacity: 66,5 Kwh
Range: 451 km WLTP
Trailer not possible
Price in Norway (G3 Smart): 358
– (G3 Premium): 379
New production facility
The XPeng G3 was put into production in 2018 at Haima (Hainan and Mazda) as part of the state-owned car group FAW Group. This summer, Xpeng opened its own production facility in Zhaoqing. The all-new model P7 is now produced at this facility. The P7 has performance and range completely on par with the Tesla Model 3. It also looks very good. In recent months, the new model has outsold the G3 in China.
Xpeng P7 – The Tesla challenger
Currently only sold in China, but since Xpeng has a Norwegian distributor, it is not inconceivable that it will appear here at home. The P7 can be delivered in four versions – two with rear-wheel drive and two with four-wheel drive. The two with rear-wheel drive have a range of 586 km and 706 km (!). The versions with four-wheel drive and dual motor have a range of 562 km. The top model "Peng Wing" has doors that tilt upwards like on a Lamborghini. An obvious courtship to Tesla customers. The P7 also offers self-driving technology. According to rumours, a former employee of Tesla should have uploaded software for Tesla's autopilot solution to the cloud and taken it over to Xpeng.
The Xpeng P7 is a very beautiful car which, on paper, can challenge the Tesla Model 3. It will probably come to Norway and be sold through the Xpeng dealers (source: www.xiaopeng.com)
DFSK – Dongfeng SOKON
DFSK has factories in China, Indonesia and the USA (MIshawaka, Indiana). The Norwegian importer of Subaru, Gill Gruppen, has set its sights on DFSK's electric cars. They will continue to import new Subaru models, but not 2021 models. The DFSK models that are interesting for Norway are two high-built crossover models – DFSK E3 and DFSK SERES SF5 . The car brand is DFSK, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group. In Norway, the cars will probably be marketed under the model name Seres.
DFSK SERES 3 will probably arrive in Norway shortly and will replace Subaru at dealers (source: dfsk.com)
DFSK E3
Model name in China: DFSK SERES 3
Length, width, height in cm: 439 x 185 x 165
Wheelbase: 266 cm
Seats: 5
Engine: 160 HP, 300 Nm
Battery capacity: 52,56 Kwh
Range: 405 km
The brand has a Norwegian representative
DFSK SERES SF5
Brand new model (DFSK SERES 5)
Battery capacity: 90 kWh
Engine: 684 HP, 1039 Nm
0-100: 3,5 seconds
The brand has a Norwegian representative
Can also be supplied with a range extender
See picture at the top of the post!
Chery
Like several other Chinese manufacturers, Chery is a fairly young company. The car press pounced on the brand when they started exporting cars to Western countries 20 years ago. Chery seriously failed crash tests. Moreover, several models were alleged to be copies of Western models. Chery never had any success in Europe, but that may change now. The model Chery eQ5 (referred to as Ant in China) is a modern crossover that I'm pretty sure can be imported to Norway.
Chery eQ5 – medium-sized crossover with 70,1 Kwh battery pack.
chery eQ5
Length, width, height in cm: 463 x 191 x 165
Wheelbase: 283 cm
Net weight 1760 kg
Motorization (minimum): 160 HP, 250 Nm
Motorization (largest): 174 HP, 280 Nm
Battery capacity 70,1 Kwh
Range: 510 km NEDC
Top speed: 170 km/h
NIO
NIO was founded in 2014 to produce electric cars. In the myriad of different models, NIO stands out with its modern and Western design and technology. The NIO ES6 is a car that should attract interest from Norwegian customers. It is a challenger to the Audi e-tron. It was the 10th best-selling electric car in China for October. The same model is also available as a coupe variant under the name EC6. NIO has no Norwegian representative.
The NIO ES6 is an Audi e-tron challenger that is not currently represented in Norway (source: nio.com)
NIO ES6 - Default
Battery capacity: 70 Kwh
Range: 420 km (combined), 490 km (urban)
Motorization: 430 HP (215 front and 215 rear).
0-100: 5,6 seconds –Performance
Battery capacity: 84 Kwh
Range: 430 km (combined), 510 km (urban)
Motorization: 536 HP (215 front and 321 rear).
0-100: 4,7 seconds
Active air suspension, 4WD
Dongfeng - one of China's largest manufacturers has established a new electric car brand Voyah. The prototype looks like a cross between a Fisker Karma and a Tesla Model S (source: www.dfmc.com.cn)
In the throat of Tesla
The Tesla Model 3 has been a huge hit in China. Several car manufacturers are now launching “Tesla killers” – models that are designed to steal customers away from Tesla. Just look at the BYD Han and Xpeng P7, – or the Dongfeng Voyah – a prototype that shows what one of China’s largest car manufacturers can create. Hengchi is a brand new car brand, formed by Chinese big money from the construction company China Evergrande Group. They came out last year and said they would become China’s largest electric car manufacturer in 5 years. There is little doubt that Tesla is on the target.
If someone were to succeed in surpassing Tesla in China, it is not impossible that they could succeed in Tesla's country of Norway as well.
Henqchi was established last year and has big plans backed by Chinese capital. Henqchi 1 fits into the Tesla Model S.
If you are wondering if your car is manufactured in China, you can check if the car's VIN number starts with "L". Car manufacturers do not always choose to state the correct country in the VIN number, but Chinese law requires that all goods exported must be clearly marked where they come from. Therefore, you can trust that cars manufactured in China always show "L" as the first character in the VIN number.
