Geneva 2019 - Aiways U5 - AllCarIndex

AIWAYS LAUNCHES ALL-ELECTRIC U5 SUV TO EUROPE

- Shanghai-based mobility solutions provider AIWAYS makes its official debut into the European market with production-ready, all-electric U5 SUV at the Geneva Motor Show 2019

- AIWAYS founded in 2017 with the aim of providing affordable products that incorporate new levels of advanced vehicle technology not currently found on cars within the market

- Modular lightweight aluminium-steel structure; 63kWh ‘sandwich’ battery powering a compact 140kW electric motor

- U5 manufactured at AIWAYS’ new state-of-the-art production plant in Shangrao (Jiangxi Province)

- Production plant engineered to Industry 4.0 standards and currently able to produce 150,000 cars a year, with a doubling of capacity planned in second phase of development

- World-first demonstration of AIWAYS’ autonomous charging robot, CARL

Shanghai, 5 March, 2019 – AIWAYS, the Shanghai-based personal mobility provider, has made its official entry into the European market with the launch of its all-electric U5 SUV at the Geneva International Motorshow (GIMS). 

The production-ready U5 is a statement of intent for the AIWAYS brand as it aims to bring affordable, connected and local zero-emissions family transport to the European market. Built on AIWAYS’ innovative aluminium-steel More Adaptable Structure (MAS) platform, the U5 leads AIWAYS’ product offensive, which is expected to grow with one new model per year including a range of electric family SUVs in both the compact and large segments.

The U5 brings together all of AIWAYS’ collective industry expertise into one innovative package, which is aimed at meeting the needs of discerning European buyers. The mid-size SUV offers style, premium build quality, connectivity, safety and 460km battery range (NEDC).

In order to achieve these requirements, AIWAYS has invested heavily in the entire value chain of the U5. This begins with the newly established €1.7bn (£1.5bn) Shangrao production plant in Jiangxi Province, where the U5 will be manufactured, consists of a stamping plant, body and paint shop and final assembly line, integrating innovative technology throughout. Engineered to Industry 4.0 standards, it is currently able to produce 150,000 cars a year, with a second phase of expansion already planned to bring capacity to 300,000 units.

Technology is truly at the heart of the AIWAYS U5 and inside, the U5 offers drivers and passengers seamless connectivity and convenience thanks to an intuitive voice-controlled infotainment system while an ultra-high-definition screen displays all relevant vehicle information.

When it goes on sale in Europe, the AIWAYS U5 will offer a range of innovative connectivity solutions. These include integration between the car and the home, allowing the driver to control functions of their home directly from the car. AIWAYS’ R&D engineers are exploring ways in which cloud computing can provide greater benefit to motorists, as well as developing a range of higher-level autonomy systems that will eventually become commonplace in future.

The U5’s powertrain meanwhile features an integrated and flexible design that is smaller and lighter than any of its key rivals. Central to the U5’s impressive performance is a pioneering ‘sandwich’ battery structure, which allows for a greater specific capacity of cells per kg while still ensuring adequate cooling and protection from damage. The 63kWh battery pack powers a proprietary and compact 140kW electric motor, which is 15% smaller than rival systems and can be utilised on a variety of body styles from the A-segment through to large SUVs.

AIWAYS President, Samuel Fu (Fu Qiang), said: “Launching the AIWAYS brand at the Geneva Motor Show represents a significant milestone in our company’s brief history. Our international strategy begins here and we are looking forward to showcasing our new electric U5 SUV to discerning European buyers. Our experienced team of designers and engineers as well as our world-leading production facility means we are not just offering a high-quality zero-emission vehicle, but also creating an entire mobility ecosystem tailored to customers’ needs.”

AIWAYS was founded in 2017 by President Samuel Fu (Fu Qiang) and CEO Gary Gu (Gu Feng). Both coming from leading positions in top international automotive brands based in China. AIWAYS has expanded rapidly by building a research & development centre, battery plant and production facility. The company’s incredible growth means it now employs more than 1,100 people.

In addition to the launch of the production-ready U5, AIWAYS, is demonstrating its innovative charging robot prototype, CARL, in a world first at the Geneva International Motor Show. CARL is one of various solutions that the company’s engineering team is currently developing to solve challenges around existing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Europe and other markets.

CARL is an autonomous mobile charging unit that can provide rapid and fast charging to any EV with a globally recognised charging standard. For example, when parked in a public car park, the EV’s driver can summon the Charging Robot using a smartphone app. Using GPS based data the Charging Robot will then locate the vehicle and begin charging automatically.

The official European debut of the AIWAYS U5 will take place during AIWAYS’ press conference at 16:00 CET, 5 March 2019. The Nathalie will be shown during Gumpert AIWAYS press conference at 17:00 CET, 5 March 2019. Both press conferences will be held on the AIWAYS show stand (2220).