Lifan are eager to get into the super cheap mini van segment that is mostly controlled by local rivals Chang’an. The below pictures show what Lifan have in store:
It’s possible that Lifan wont be awfully succesful in the first year of launch, but its worth remembering that Lifan are extremely succesful in the South Asian motorbike segment, so they could be set to launch this van there, and reap the rewards of a virgin market that relies mostly on new and second hand Japanese vans for its needs.
On the other hand, the central government is actively pushing minivans to farmers to further accelerate car sales in China, and is offering subsidies to rural buyers of minivans.
A hard seel for sure. Just too much competition in this segment. Lifan would have been better off developing a pickup.
cont’d
Let’s get those farmer-friendly “vehicles out to the countryside” as Beijing has urged. Big payload, double cab to accomodate mom and the kid(s), and with those convenient fold down sides…..That’s where the market is Lifan.