Chinese carmaker GAC's electric-van unit takes aim at Ford and Stellantis in Europe
A commercial-vehicle subsidiary of China's state-owned carmaker
GAC Group has its sights set on Europe, where it hopes its electric vans can lure corporate buyers away from petroleum-powered models built by the likes of Ford and Stellantis.
Advertisement
Xiao Ning, CEO of Miraco Motor, told the Post that the company would launch its first model in Europe next year. It aims to grab 10 per cent of the European market, where more than 1.7 million vehicles of this type are sold each year for public transport, goods delivery, emergency services and commuting.
'Electric commercial vehicles have an overwhelming advantage over petrol rivals because of electricity's lower cost than gasoline,' he said. 'Our van will compete against six to seven rivals there, and we think it's reasonable to target a 10 per cent share.'
Established in late 2023 and based, like GAC, in Guangzhou in southern China's Guangdong province, the company is displaying its prototype models in Hong Kong at the International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo, which ends on Sunday.
Miraco's battery-powered vans can go as far as 350km on a single charge. Xiao said the company also planned to offer autonomous-driving systems so that its vans could vie for a share of the robotaxi industry around the world.
Advertisement
The company uses a modular design approach that separates the drivetrain components from the cabin and cargo areas, to make it easier to spin out new models.
Its first production model, a minibus, would hit the Hong Kong market this year, he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
25 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese brain implant reaches landmark clinical trial with operation on amputee
China has become the second country in the world to advance invasive brain-computer interface technology to a human trial, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday. Advertisement The trial is on a 37-year-old man who had to have all of his limbs amputated after a high-voltage electrical accident more than a decade ago. In March, researchers implanted a device roughly the size of a coin and a series of electrodes into the man's brain. A few weeks later, he was able to control a cursor on an electronic device, enabling him to play chess and video games, and perform computer operations at a near-normal level of proficiency, according to the report. The researchers plan to conduct a series of small-scale trials on patients with paralysis or the nervous system disease ALS this year, followed by trials on up to 40 patients in 2026. The trials are being led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Centre for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University in Shanghai, and industry partners. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's 1980s nightlife culture makes dazzling return at site of old Club Bboss
More than a decade after Club Bboss was closed , a new nightspot has launched on the same site where the once-glamorous establishment operated for 28 years, with the goal of attracting tourists and young revellers eager for a glimpse of Hong Kong's 1980s clubbing heyday. Advertisement The new spot – known as Big Boss Generation (BBG) – opened for business on Saturday in the old club's 56,000 sq ft site at the New Mandarin Plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui East. It will use the former occupant's old Chinese name, which translates to Big Boss Club. 'Big Boss Club is not only a household name in Hong Kong, but a well-known global brand,' said BBG CEO Edward Li at the grand opening ceremony that was also attended by Japanese actress Sola Aoi . 'We want to continue to develop this home-grown Hong Kong intellectual property.' BBG, which raised over HK$100 million (US$12.7 million) from mainland Chinese and Hong Kong investors, planned to revive some well-known features of the old club, according to Li. One such feature shown at Saturday's opening was the signature golden Rolls-Royce-themed vintage car, which the old BBoss used to transport customers to their private booth. The new establishment also revived Bboss' famous large dance floor – roomy enough for 500 guests – as well as 50 private rooms, Li said, adding that the club's total capacity could accommodate 1,900 guests at the same time. The signature golden Rolls-Royce vintage car of Club Bboss gets the spotlight at the launch of the Big Boss Generation nightspot in Tsim Sha Tsui East. Photo: Nora Tam Li said the large dance floor and all the private rooms could be rented for a wide range of activities, including concerts, exhibitions, press conferences, wedding receptions and birthday parties. BBG launch guest Aoi hosted a fan event at the premises, where she met hundreds of admirers.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Xi urges Communist Party to learn from pioneer of China's economic planning
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the ruling Communist Party to learn from the legacy of early party figure Chen Yun – a pioneer of China's economic planning – in remarks on Friday to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the late statesman's birth. Advertisement Xi called on the party to have unwavering confidence when facing 'chaotic and complex turbulence', and to strengthen its ability to cut a path for China's economy with 'objective and thorough' research, according to state news agency Xinhua. The party is preparing for an annual conclave, to be held later this year, focusing on the next five-year plan covering 2026–2030 . The national economic development plan will serve as a blueprint to sharpen China's competitive edge and address weak links exposed in its rivalry with the United States. Xi made the remarks at a meeting in Beijing to mark the anniversary of Chen's birth in 1905. China's ruling party typically commemorates the birthdays of revolutionary elders every 10 years. Modern leaders often weave their policy priorities into their commemoration speeches as a way to rally the party and draw inspiration from the elder statesman's political legacy. Advertisement
