Singapore To Be First Export Market For Geely GE11

Geely is set to launch its first fully electric export market-friendly sedan in Singapore next month. Codenamed GE11, the fully electric sedan has yet to go on sale in China, but several Chinese and Singaporean media outlets have reported that the car, which will soon be sold in China under the Jihe A name, will be launched in Singapore on April 11.

It is unclear if the Chinese Jihe A name will be used for Singapore. Also unclear is whether the car will be available for sale to the public. Singaporean website CarBuyer.com.sg says the GE11 will most likely launched there as part of a fleet purchase by a ride hailing service company.

Grab currently operates a fleet of Hyundai Kona Electric, which is priced from SGD 139,999 to SGD 162,999, slotting it between a Hyundai Tuscon (up to SGD 126,999) and a Santa Fe (from SGD 163,999).

Geely has yet to announce any performance details for the GE11 but several Chinese websites are claiming that the car will be equipped with a 130 kW (177 PS) motor, and will have a top speed of 150 km/h. Electric driving range is rumoured to be between 410 km and 500 km, depending on variant, figures based on Chinese test cycles.

The exterior door handles are hidden flush in the door panels when not in use, and will pop out when the driver approaches the car.   

While the car may have an unconventional powertrain, the GE11’s traditional silhouette suggests it is derived from an existing, older generation combustion engine car. The height and length of the bonnet, plus front overhands suggests that the donor car had a regular engine.

Apart from the aforementioned Hyundai Kona Electric, other electric cars currently on sale in Singapore include the BMW i3 (SGD174,000), Nissan Leaf (SGD 167,300), Renault Zoe Electric (SGD 122,999) and Renault Kangoo Z.E. Electric (SGD 99,800). Parallel imported Tesla Model S and Model X are also available (price upon application).

BYD also has fleet of e6 models on running on Singaporean roads but these cars are sold exclusively only to taxi operators, registered using yellow-blue R&D plates.