SAIC-GM-Wuling Unveils 'Light of ASEAN': A Futuristic EV Concept with Gullwing Doors
by AutoExpert | 26 September, 2024
GM’s joint venture, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), is making waves with its debut of a new concept car, showcased during their future strategy reveal for the ASEAN markets. And what better way to grab attention than with a futuristic coupe sporting massive gullwing doors?
Dubbed the “Light of ASEAN,” this concept hints at what’s to come for SGMW’s design direction in Southeast Asia. Details about the powertrain? Don’t get too excited—it’s only confirmed to be electric, which isn’t exactly shocking given the current trend.
Up front, you’ll notice a Y-shaped lighting design that feels a lot like what we saw on the Lancia Pu+Ra HPE Concept. But let’s be honest—the real head-turner here is the oversized gullwing doors, which swing open to reveal a high-tech, four-seat interior. The seats wrap around, and the cockpit looks straight out of the future, complete with all the gadgets you’d expect from a car that seems like it belongs in 2050. The fastback styling gets a bit of flair at the back, with flying buttresses, slim LED taillights, and a sculpted rear.
There’s also a weird twist: a removable device on the back that supposedly turns into a robot. No logos are visible, but the bumpers and wheels give off some serious MG vibes, which makes sense given SAIC’s ownership of the brand. If this car ever hits the streets, it’ll probably be part of SGMW’s “Red Badge” line for passenger vehicles, while their electric models fall under the Baojun label.
In addition to unveiling the concept, SGMW laid out its ambitious “One, Two, Three” strategy for ASEAN markets during the event in Nanning, China. Their plan focuses on building a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) industry chain with a clear push towards sustainability. SGMW’s global reach is already impressive, having shipped over 1.07 million vehicles to more than 100 countries and regions outside of China, and they’ve got no plans to slow down anytime soon.