GM’s joint venture, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), is making a bid for attention with its first-ever new energy concept car, unveiled during the company’s future strategy presentation for the ASEAN markets. And what better way to stand out than with a futuristic, low-slung coupe featuring gigantic gullwing doors. Called the “Light of ASEAN,” this concept serves as a preview of the design language set to shape future models in Southeast Asia. Powertrain details? The only confirmed fact is that it’s electrified—because, of course, it has to be.
Up front, the concept flaunts a Y-shaped
lighting signature that bears more than a passing resemblance to the one seen
on Lancia Pu+Ra HPE Concept. But the real showstopper here? Massive gullwing
doors that swing open to reveal a four-seater cabin decked out with wraparound
seats and a high-tech cockpit that screams “I belong in 2050.” Around back, the
fastback-style tail is accented by flying buttresses, slim full-width LEDs, and
a sculpted rear fascia. Oh, and there’s a removable device back there that
reportedly transforms into a robot, or so they claim. Although the concept
lacks any emblems, the bumpers and wheels seem to borrow heavily from the
SAIC-owned MG brand’s design playbook.
If this concept ever made it to
production, it’d likely fall under the joint venture’s “Red Badge” category,
reserved for passenger vehicles. For those keeping score, the “Silver Badge” is
for LCVs, and the all-electric models are marketed under the Baojun brand.
Alongside the concept reveal,
SAIC-GM-Wuling took the opportunity to lay out its ambitious “One, Two, Three”
plan for the ASEAN markets during the special event in Nanning, China. The
strategy centers on building an industry chain for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)
in the region, with sustainability at the forefront of the initiative.
According to Autohome, the joint venture
has already shipped more than 1.07 million vehicles to over 104 countries and
regions beyond China’s borders, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.