Dongfeng Box S31/Nammi 01 EV Spotted Again – CKD Version Launched in Malaysia Expected Next Year
Spotted undergoing road testing earlier this weekthe Nam Mi 01 The EV, aka the Dongfeng Box S31, has been spotted again, with a different version (with Box badges on the tailgate, but Nammi lettering on the headlights), seen at a charging station earlier today.
While we knew the electric hatchback would be here soon, the appearance of more than one test vehicle suggests that the market rollout is getting closer.
What will it be this year? Well, the initial timeline was indicated in October last year when the Malaysian Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia (Pekema) signed an agreement with Dongfeng Assembly and launch of the car here is expected to take place around the middle of this year.
The actual market introduction may still be a while away, at least for the CKD version. Production timing has not been indicated yet, but since Pekema, through its subsidiary Central Auto Distributors Bhd (CADB), has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NexV Manufacturing For local car assembly, CKD production may take many more months to take place.
This is further reinforced by what test drivers who saw the car today said, when we asked when we expected the electric car to be available – they said the expected launch date was next year.
A quick recap of the Box S31/Nammi 01. At 4,030 mm long, 1,810 mm wide and 1,570 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,660 mm, Dongfeng’s offering is 260 mm shorter than the already compact BYD Dolphinbut wider than 40 mm.
Underpinned by the automaker’s Quantum Architecture No. 3 platform, the car is paired with a single drive motor rated at 163 PS, although some Chinese news outlets claim the motor is rated at 95 PS. A 43.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery powers the motor and is said to provide a range of up to 430 km based on China’s CLTC testing standards. Top speed is claimed to be 140 km/h.
There’s no word on pricing yet, but the Box S31/Nammi 01 will likely cost under Price ceiling RM100k currently applies to fully imported electric vehicles, a condition specifically stipulated by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Guide to Approved Franchise Licensing Requirements (AP). Since the car will be assembled in CKD form, its price will technically be above the price cap, but it remains to be seen how this will play out.
COLLECTION: Dongfeng Box S31 aka Nammi 01 at Auto China 2024
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Car.
