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The tiny Hongguang Mini electric vehicle is the best-selling electric vehicle in China, surpassing Tesla.
The barebone electric car starts at just $ 4,500 and has become a huge hit in many crowded Chinese cities where parking is difficult to find. It can go up to 100 km / h and has a range of just over 100 miles.
General Motors has a 44 percent stake in the Chinese manufacturer of the vehicle. However, it has yet to be announced whether it will be considered to roll out the vehicles here.
Some auto analysts say the American market may not be ready for such a small car, long distances between US cities make it impractical, and its speed cannot keep up with traffic in many American cities.
Q: Would the Hongguang Mini EV work in the US?
James Hamilton, UC San Diego
JA: I see a niche for such a product in the US market. I already see some people romping around in tiny three-wheeled vehicles that are little more than a scooter with a rain cover. People who are passionate enough about protecting the environment (or protecting their wallets) might consider something like this. But I wouldn’t drive one on the California freeways. These are dangerous enough when you’re driving an armored truck!
Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth
NO: A car of this size and performance does not appeal to the vast majority of American consumers, nor does it meet many road safety and performance requirements. Years ago, the smart car was similarly promising, but it had to be modified and never grew in importance. I (and the environment) would love to see the domestic market move towards small electric cars for everyday use.
Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health
No, not yet. It may have limited pull in populated cities like New York, but it would have limited pull in auto companies and large states like California. In addition, the battery life must be extended and the vehicle must meet US safety standards. But if our standards could be met, an inexpensive electric vehicle might be attractive to some.
Norm Miller, University of San Diego
YES: A GEM electric vehicle costs $ 7,700, only manages 40 MPH with modest range, and is purchased for use in urban areas. The cheapest car without electric cars is the Chevrolet Spark, starting at $ 13,400. The 3-wheel electric Arcimoto has 65 MPH, is currently costing nearly $ 20,000, and is selling well. So if the Hongguang can get up to around 70+ MPH (up from 62 now), demand would be extremely high, even at twice the base price ($ 4,500) in China.
Jamie Moraga, IntelliSolutions
NO: After 11 years, Mercedes-Benz withdrew its smart car product from the US market in 2019 due to lack of profitability and falling demand for microcars in the US. Small cars usually appeal to a specific target market. Microcars like the Hongguang Mini EV can work for short distances, but not in larger cities like San Diego, which are more dispersed and require greater daily ranges.
David Ely, San Diego State University
NO: Light trucks and SUVs are growing in popularity in the United States and are now dominating the consumer vehicle market. For much of the past decade, buyers have preferred trucks and SUVs because of their comfort and performance. The Hongguang Mini may meet the needs of a niche market, but it seems unlikely that a significant number of American buyers will be on the lookout for small electric vehicles to navigate congested cities.
Ray Major, SANDAG
NO: While it may appeal to a very small niche market, most Americans prefer larger vehicles. This is one of the reasons the smart car failed in the US. Its low price and low running costs may appeal to people who otherwise couldn’t afford a car, but the majority of Americans will pass it off as a novelty and not invest in a mini-electric vehicle.
Lynn Reaser, Point Loma Nazarene University
NO: Its novelty might attract few buyers. Its low price and small size to cope with crowded cities make it more suitable for China or India. In the US, consumers want larger vehicles with both speed and range. SUVs or trucks now account for three quarters of vehicle sales. On freeways, even the slow lane can challenge the Mini EV’s 62nd top speed. A range of 100 miles would also draw people looking for cheaper vehicles into the used car market.
Reginald Jones, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
YES: EV speed is not suitable for main routes, but the vehicle is marketable in the United States. Beach communities are the best in the San Diego area. Most have good neighborhood-based resources. Think Coronado, where people move around on golf carts. However, local supply is not available in all parts of the city. Especially those where the EV could be an affordable transportation option.
Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research
NO: A miniature electric vehicle of questionable quality and limited range would not do well in a much more dispersed US, except perhaps in some congested urban areas. The Smart Car EV was already available and could not be successful. Other small established EVs like Mini or Kia Soul Electric are better options with much higher quality and greater range. A cheap vehicle that is not suitable for commuting on congested California freeways would not succeed here.
Phil Blair, manpower
JA: I think Americans are eager to get on board with electric cars and, above all, to leave the gasoline costs behind. The Mini-EV will, over time, dramatically reduce the import of oil and both its pollution and the carbon footprint of the oil circumnavigation halfway around the world. Americans have clearly shown that they support climate change, so the carbon footprint is important.
Gary London, London Moeder consultant
NO: There is certainly a segment of the market that is attracted by its size, price, and electronic features. Although it’s cheaper than a high-quality electric bike, you would get more exercise on the bike unless the Hongguang is equipped with a pedal function. The smart car introduced a few years ago wasn’t a huge hit, likely because it would lose in an attack by an SUV, although you can squeeze into a smaller parking space.
Alan Gin, University of San Diego
JA: But it would be a niche market. Because of its top speed, it wouldn’t work as the primary car for most families. This is especially the case in newer cities, where there is a lot of urban sprawl and where a lot of highway driving is necessary. But it could be a good second or third car that could be used for short trips. It’s inexpensive and the fact that it’s electric would make it ideal for this purpose.
Bob Rauch, RA Rauch & staff
NO: Certainly there would be a niche market for this vehicle, but as an alternative to the golf cart or as a second car, it would be limited to drivers in the city center or in suburbs. Safety is paramount to drivers and this car is too small to handle all the SUVs on the road and does not go fast enough or far enough for the freeway. Would you let your kids ride it?
Do you have an idea for an EconoMeter question? Send me an email at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com.
Follow me on Twitter: @PhillipMolnar
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