The US electric car brand, Coda, works with Harbin based Hafei Auto to develop its electric car products. However, with Hafei falling under Chang-an’s control there hasn’t been any new products developed for a number of years and the likelihood of one coming in the short term is also depressingly low. Code turned to Baoding based mover and shaker Great Wall Auto to provide donors for its next range of vehicles.
In an announcement made at the Beijing Auto Show earlier this week the two companies will work together on developing new electric vehicles that will be potentially sold in China as well as the USA. The first cars aren’t due until 2014 but that is expected to be fast forward if Coda want to stay relevant in the US market.
Glad they working with Great Wall for cars, as that current Hafei based/Old Mitsubishi based car needs to go out to pasture. Overall, this is a good step forward, but sooner or later they are going to have to design their own cars.
It is a good move indeed since GWM envisions to be global leading auto brand by 2020.
Coda cannot survive with the obsolete Hafei product. And it doesn’t appear that the heavy hitters who keep Coda afloat, are interested in working with Chang’an. Instead they see Great Wall as a savior of sorts. In turn Great Wall sees Coda as a foot in the door of the American market. In any case Coda is looking at a tough row to hoe.