The SC-01 electric sports car, originally developed by a Xiaomi-backed startup called Tianjin Gongjianpai Auto Technology, has now become a part of the Chinese JMEV brand. This move allowed the car to obtain a sales license under the new name JMEV 01. The vehicle comes with a price tag of 300,000 yuan (approximately 40,920 USD).
Tianjin Gongjianpai Auto Technology was founded in 2016 by Feng Xiaotong, who also runs a YouTube channel called China Car Custom. Xiaomi Group had invested in this startup, with Liu Dezheng, a co-founder of Xiaomi, serving as one of the directors of the company.
The SC-01 was officially unveiled in September 2022 as an electric roadster with a planned launch in 2024. However, the project faced some delays before reportedly entering production in January 2024. Eventually, the SC-01 was integrated into the JMEV brand, which is a joint venture between JMC and Renault.
The JMEV brand, established by Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) in 2015, received a significant investment from French automaker Renault in 2019. Despite this partnership, JMEV products did not perform well in the market, leading to Renault directors leaving the board in 2023.
JMEV still operates a manufacturing plant in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, with a production capacity of 100,000 cars per year. The brand struggled with sales, prompting them to become a contract manufacturer for the SC-01 electric roadster.
The JMEV 01, which was previously known as the SC-01, retains the same exterior design with dimensions of 4106/1830/1170 mm and a wheelbase of 2503 mm. The car features a lightweight construction with a curb weight of 1,365 kg and is powered by two synchronous permanent magnet motors producing a combined output of 320 kW (429 hp).
With a top speed of 200 km/h, the JMEV 01 is set to enter the market after receiving its sales license. The integration of the SC-01 into the JMEV brand signifies a new chapter for this electric roadster, bringing it closer to potential customers.
