On March 6th, it was reported that the long-dormant classic domestic new energy vehicle brand "Zhi Dou" may see a revival this year.
According to sources familiar with the matter, "Zhi Dou's new car is set to be launched in the second quarter of this year, with a high probability of utilizing Aima's (electric vehicle) sales channels."
During the bankruptcy restructuring of Zhi Dou, Geely Chairman Li Shufu and Aima Technology Chairman Zhang Jian played crucial roles.
Not only in terms of funding, but the restructured Zhi Dou has also integrated resources from Geely and Aima in areas such as research and development, the supply chain, and sales channels.
In the latest catalog of new vehicle declarations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology earlier this year, ZhiDou Motors' brand-new model, the "Rainbow," has been approved for declaration. The new car is positioned as a micro electric vehicle, with dimensions of 3224/1515/1630mm (length/width/height) and a wheelbase of 2100mm. It features a 2-door, 4-seat layout and is directly competing with the Hong Guang MINI EV.
ZhiDou Motors, established in 2006, is one of the earliest companies to enter the field of new energy vehicles in China, with cumulative sales exceeding 100,000 units.
During its peak in 2017, the company sold over 42,000 vehicles throughout the year, ranking second in domestic sales of new energy vehicles and also exporting widely to European countries.
However, in 2017, the national government adjusted its subsidy policy for new energy vehicles, discontinuing subsidies for pure electric vehicles with a range of less than 250km.
As a result, ZhiDou Motors' sales plummeted sharply, with only 2,005 vehicles sold in the first half of 2019, leading to the company's decline from its former glory.
Subsequently, the company faced a series of challenges including factory shutdowns, layoffs, and wage arrears lawsuits, eventually leading to bankruptcy restructuring. By 2019, ZhiDou Motors' equity was put up for auction but failed to attract successful buyers.
