√Chinese electric-car start-up announces right-hand-drive model plans

Another Chinese electric-car company could be just around the corner, with a new entrant claiming it will take on right-hand-drive markets – including Australia.

A Chinese electric-car start-up has made bold claims about its future vehicles at the Shanghai motor show, announcing its new models will be on sale in right-hand-drive countries – such as Australia – before the end of 2026.

Little-known Chinese electric-car maker HiPhi has claimed it will start selling its uniquely-styled battery-powered vehicles in the UK – a right-hand-drive market – between 2024 and 2025, according to UK publication Auto Express.

HiPhi’s Chief Technical Officer, Mark Stanton – former director of vehicle engineering for Jaguar Land Rover – told Auto Express it plans to put its left-hand-drive electric cars on sale in Europe “by the end of 2023”, before the brand attempts to launch in the UK with right-hand-drive models soon after.

”We will definitely be going right-hand drive and going to the UK – I just can’t tell you when yet,” Mr Stanton told Auto Express.

When asked whether HiPhi will make its UK debut in 2026, Mr Stanton said, “I hope it’s not going to be that long.”

MORE: Human Horizons HiPhi 1 gull-winged EV revealed, we talk to Mark Stanton

The HiPhi Z (left) and HiPhi X (right) will be its first two cars to launch in Europe

The UK, Japan and Australia are among the minority of countries with right-hand-drive cars. Left-hand-drive vehicles account for 75 per cent of the automotive market globally.

While the process of developing and manufacturing left- and right-hand-drive versions of the same vehicle is less complicated EVs than it is for petrol or diesel cars – due to the “skateboard” platform adopted by most modern designs, more easily enabling unique “top hats” – a significant engineering investment is still required to create an “ambidextrous” platform.

According to Auto Express, HiPhi plans to start selling its first two electric cars – the HiPhi Z sedan and HiPhi X SUV – in Germany and Norway from the end of this year.

The HiPhi X – which has been pitched as a rival to the Tesla Model X – has recently received approval from the European Union to be sold on the continent, while the HiPhi Z – aimed at the Porsche Taycan – is still awaiting the government’s go-ahead.

HiPhi also revealed a third model – the Y (above) – at the Shanghai Motor Show as a smaller SUV, apparently mirroring Tesla’s SUV naming structure.

According to Mr Stanton, HiPhi’s funky-looking electric cars are popular amongst younger, “tech-savvy” buyers in China, though he admitted “somebody who wants a Porsche will always want a Porsche”.

BYD is currently the only Chinese car-maker which solely sells electric cars in Australia, though Great Wall Motors (GWM) recently introduced its Ora sub-brand to the local market, while Polestar – the Chinese-owned Volvo off-shoot – is also increasing its presence Down Under.

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