CYBERJAYA: Central Auto Distributors Bhd (CADB), the exclusive importer and distributor of Dongfeng passenger vehicles in Malaysia, previewed the fully-electric Box which is slated for local launch soon.
Also known as the Nammi Box in China, it was first unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show in late last year, with the right-hand-drive version only just recently released.
This curvaceous electric vehicle (EV) is built on the Dongfeng Quantum Architecture S3 platform and will be offered in two variants of Box E2 with up to 330km of range and the Box E3 at 430km.
Zulkifli (right) and Wan Ahmad Fadzli at the media preview of the Box E3.
Pricing for the Box will be revealed upon its official launch in the fourth quarter of this year with CADB operation director Datuk SM Zulkifli SM Amin looking to give "competitors a run for their money."
"High-value is our main goal, especially for our early adopters, which is why we intend to price the Box affordably.
"We are very confident the Dongfeng Box will appeal strongly to those who have a fashionable urban lifestyle and this EV will most certainly impress discerning customers who seek style, comfort and good handling characteristics," added Zulkifli.
Also in the works is the launch package for the Box that will include charging options (home charger/condo charger with app and/or charging credits with ChargeSini), insurance provider and towing services, among others.
"Although we are introducing one Dongfeng model this year, we are looking to bring in two more next year," he said.
The company is looking at selling 1,000 units this year and 3,000 units next year.
"In addition to our current and future sales targets, we will also look to finalise our recently signed memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) with NexV Manufacturing which will locally-assemble the Box," explained Zulkifli who intends to make Malaysia the Box's regional assembly hub.
CADB general manager Wan Ahmad Fadzli Wan Mustafa said the company intends to open up to 10 1S (sales) outlets, with the majority being 3S (sales, service and spare-parts) centres in key strategic locations nationwide (including East Malaysia) before the end of the year.
Wan Ahmad Fadzli added the company's dealers would install AC and fast-charging DC chargers at their outlets.
"This will benefit our new customers in terms of convenience as we strengthen our collaboration with ChargeSini, one of the top three charging infrastructure providers in the country," he added.
The Box is available in White, Green and Blue with a personalisation option for a white roof.
Meanwhile, the interior can be specified in either a White and Black combination or Grey and Black.
The last colour of Purple will also be available along with a white roof and a matching Purple and Black combination interior.
Power to the front wheels will come from a 70kW (94hp) electric motor with 160Nm of torque and supplied by a 31.45kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery for the Box E2.
Meanwhile, the Box E3 gets a higher capacity 42.3kWh LFP battery.
The battery is claimed to support fast DC charging that can bring its state-of-charge (SoC) from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes while also supporting Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) - the ability to power up electrical appliances.
The Box is 4,020mm long 1,810mm wide and 1,570mm tall while having a wheelbase of 2,663mm.
Externally, the Box will be equipped with LEDs for the front headlights (unified by an LED light bar) and rear light clusters.
Also, frameless doors and pop-out door handles will be included, along with all-around disc brakes that are partially hidden by 17-inch wheels fitted with 215/55 series tyres from China.
For visual differentiation, the Box E2 will utilise an alternate wheel design.
Inside, the cabin will feature diamond-patterned high-grade leather upholstery for the plush front and rear seats as well as doors and dashboard.
A unique drawer will pop out instead of the usual drop-down glove box from the dashboard.
The interior is further accompanied by a 32-colour ambient lighting system, a frameless rearview mirror, a large 12.8-inch floating central touchscreen and a wireless charger, among others.
To bolster safety, Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will also be included, as well as a one-touch lie-flat mode for the driver for added comfort and convenience.
Dongfeng Motor, a Chinese state-owned automotive manufacturer, was established in 1969 and is based in Wuhan, Hebei province.
In the company's 2023 annual report, it posted earnings of US$13.6bil (RM59.5bil) and sales of 2.4 million vehicles.
The company, with a workforce of 112,000 personnel, is China's fourth-largest vehicle manufacturer and is a member of China's "Big Four" companies including Changan Automobile, FAW Group and SAIC Motor.
The company, which has assets of US$46.8bil (RM204.5bil), is presently ranked 10th in Fortune China 500.
Box E2.
