Targeting Europe, Dongfeng unveils Voyah electric crossover, ships Box EV from China

TURIN – China’s Dongfeng Motor Group has unveiled the Voyah Courage full-electric midsize crossover, one of two new models that it hopes will boost sales in Europe.

Dongfeng revealed the Courage at an event in Turin on Sept. 12 at which it also showed the Dongfeng Box, a small full-electric hatchback that is already on sale in China and was previewed for Europe in Spain in June.

Dongfeng launched sales in Europe at the end of 2022 in Norway, then expanded to other Nordic countries, Belgium and Luxembourg in 2023.

In June it announced further expansion, with sales in Germany, Switzerland and Spain, and in Turin said it would start sales in Italy. Orders are set to open in Germany in the fourth quarter.

The state-owned automaker, which sells volume models under the Dongfeng brand, premium cars under Voyah and luxury utility vehicles branded Mhero, has had negligible sales in Europe.

According to figures from DataForce, Dongfeng registered just over 600 cars (of which 113 were Voyahs) from January to July in the European Union, the U.K. and EFTA countries.

Dongfeng is assessing whether to build cars in Europe.

The Box has the potential to generate significant sales in Europe, where it would be one of a just a few battery-electric cars with a starting price of less than €25,000 ($27,818), for a base model with a 32.5-kilowatt-hour battery and a range of 111 miles aimed at urban users.

The price, however, is dependent on the final level of extra EU duties on EVs from China, expected to be settled by late October.

Full-electric competitors at that price point include an upcoming base model of the Renault 5, the Citroen e-C3, the Fiat Grande Panda and the Leapmotor T03, which is being sold by Stellantis. 

The Box is 4020 mm long, 1810 mm wide and 1570 mm high, similar in size to the Renault 5 and e-C3, which has a range of about 325 km and starts at $25,919 exclusive of government incentives; a cheaper e-C3 with lower range is set to be launched next year at a price below $22,252. 

The base model Renault 5 is set to start at less than $27,814 with a 40-kWh battery and a range of 300 km. A long-range version is available now at $37,261 with a 52-kWh battery and a range of 410 km range.

Both the e-C3 and the Renault 5 are built in Europe and not subject to tariffs; both are eligible for government subsidies in their home market of France, while the Box would not be.

A longer-range Box model will have a 43.9-kWh battery pack.

Dongfeng sought to give the Box an upscale appearance and a practical interior, with crossover styling with frameless doors and flush door handles. The five-seat interior has fully reclining front seats, a 12.8-inch central screen and optional driver assistance features including automatic parking and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping.

Dongfeng said that the company currently has 2,000 Boxes on three car carriers heading to Europe from China.

Voyah’s lineup in Europe includes the Free, a large electric crossover that sells for more than $77,780; the Dream luxury electric minivan; and the Passion large sedan, which has a 109-kWh battery and a projected range of 600 km.

The Courage could be a rival to the Tesla Model Y, the best-selling EV in Europe. At 4,725 mm long, 1900 mm wide and 1650 mm high, it is marginally shorter and narrower than the Model Y, but a bit taller than the coupe-style Tesla.

The Courage is priced about $55,622. Following repeated price cuts by Tesla, the Model Y starts at $47,491 in Italy for a rear-wheel-drive model with a range of 455 km. A long-range all-wheel-drive model with 455-km range is $57,845. 

The Courage will launch next year with an 80-kWh LFP battery pack with an expected range of 470 km for a rear-wheel-drive model with a 210-kilowatt motor. An all-wheel-drive model will also be available, with expected range of 440 km.

Dongfeng said the model will launch with 400-volt electric architecture and an 80-kWh battery, but the company is already working on a top-of-the-range version with an 800-volt system and a 110-kWh battery pack that could have a range close to 800 km.