For now, Tesla’s concerns regarding the latest rival to the Model 3 will not extend beyond China, the only market where it is currently available. However, it is possible that this will not always be the case, especially considering the ambitious expansion plans of the Chinese giant GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group Co.), founded in 1997, which has already sold over 2.5 million vehicles since 2003, beyond its borders, including Europe – and the new Hyptec GT Lite, marketed by one of the many brands under its umbrella, could very well be one of its “spearheads” in that strategy.
This is the new, more affordable version of a fully electric four-door sedan, based on the dedicated AEP3.0 platform, which has generated a lot of buzz in its home market since it was launched in October 2023. In its latest iteration, it is always powered by a rear electric motor, capable of delivering 244 hp and 355 Nm, which can be fed by one of two battery options: one that ensures a range of up to 560 km, and the other that guarantees up to 630 km between charges (in both cases, according to the Chinese CLTC standard), with respective prices in the home market of 19,800 euros and 20,500 euros.
The most accessible of the Tesla Model 3, once again, in China, offers 305 hp and 400 Nm, and announces a range in the CLTC cycle of 830 km… but costs, at a minimum, the equivalent of 28,700 euros. In addition, it is smaller than its Chinese competitor in terms of length (4720 mm versus 4886 mm), width (1850 mm versus 1885 mm), height (1422 mm versus 1449 mm), and wheelbase (2875 mm versus 2920 mm), which suggests it may not be as generous in terms of space offered to passengers and luggage – both featuring an interior dominated by a large central screen, through which almost everything on board is controlled, complemented, in the Hyptec, by an instrument panel, which Tesla, as is known, does not have. In other words, this will not be the best news for the manufacturer from Palo Alto if its opponent decides to launch its new creation in export markets as well…
