The influx of Chinese vehicles into South Africa will soon include another brand completely unheard of until now.
Based on social media postings, JuneYao Auto will soon enter the local market with an electric sedan introduced in China last year.
From the sky to land
Founded three years ago, the brand is JuneYao’s second transportation venture, the first being JuneYao Air established in 2006.
Its South African interest limited to Instagram as far as no dealers have reportedly been established, the vehicle in question, JY Air, made its world debut in Thailand three years ago before arriving in its home market last year.
According to Instagram postings under the handle Juneyao Auto South Africa, the Air is described as an offering “where smart electric design meets modern elegance”.
What is it?
Dimensionally, the almost wedge-like Air, according to carnewschina.com, has the following:
- Length: 4 550 mm;
- Wheelbase: 2 800 mm;
- Height: 1 515 mm;
- Width: 1 860 mm
Power and spec
Residing at the rear, the Air has a choice of two battery pack options; a 51.2-kWh and a 64.1-kWh, both powering single electric motors.
A setup which makes the Air rear-engine, rear-wheel drive, the former develops 147kW/250Nm and the latter 150 kW/250Nm.
The claimed ranges, based on the NEDC cycle, are 430 km and 520 km respectively, with DC charging support of 70 kW and 90 kW.
Notable spec includes LED headlights, a bending 15.6-inch infotainment display, dual wireless smartphone charging pads, a multi-function steering wheel and a freestanding digital instrument cluster binnacle.
Nothing known yet
Priced between 147 800 and 159 800 yuan in China, which amounts to between R355 146 and R383 981 when directly converted and without taxes, little to no other information about JuneYoa’s operations in South Africa is otherwise known at present.
However, expect details to emerge throughout the course of the year.
