Another Chinese brand with ambitions to succeed in Europe: Avatr is preparing an adventurous electric SUV

The new product will complement a pair of already existing models in the young brand’s portfolio. An off-road SUV could appeal to the European audience as well.

The entry of Chinese automakers into the European market has so far been at a slow pace. The latest data shows that on the old continent it is mainly MG that is doing well at the moment. Brands less familiar to Europeans, such as BYD, Xpeng or GWM, experience rather marginal interest, and a larger offensive is therefore not taking place. However, the number of Chinese manufacturers in the EU will undoubtedly grow further.

One of the brands that wants to try to enter the local market is Avatr – more precisely, Avatr Technology, the premium electric brand of the joint state enterprise Changan Automobile, in which, for example, the manufacturer of Huawei phones and CATL batteries operates.

The plans of the young brand created only in 2018 include expansion to the countries of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, then to the United Arab Emirates, followed by the ambition to enter Europe around 2026 to 2027. Global plans are indicated by the already open design center in Munich. And to the existing range of models – the SUV 11 and the flagship gran coupe 12 – the brand plans to add another electric SUV 15 before long.

The brand’s latest trailer shows a camouflaged prototype of the model, which apparently won’t be afraid of lighter off-road use. Testing an electric car in Mongolia suggests an adventurous nature as much as a large roof rack or towbar. One of the prototypes also got cameras instead of conventional side mirrors.

Additional information comes from the Chinese media: The medium-sized SUV should measure around 4750 mm in length and use the CHN platform, which supports the installation of not only a fully electric system, but also the incorporation of a “range extender”, i.e. a smaller internal combustion engine, which in the form of a generator will ensure battery charging .

The premiere of the new product is expected already during the second quarter of this year. Among other things, Chinese publications refer to the Avatr 15 as another possible rival to the Tesla Model Y. After all, in the event of a successful expansion into Europe, the brand’s goal in the future is also to enter the North and South American market.