SHANGHAI – General Motors‘ three way partnership in China is launching a miniature electrical convertible underneath a low-cost model that has soared in recognition within the final 12 months.

Known as the Hongguang Mini EV Cabrio, the convertible will start mass manufacturing subsequent 12 months, in accordance with a launch. Particulars on pricing and availability weren’t out there on the time of the automobile’s unveiling on the Shanghai auto present this week.

The automotive is the newest from the favored Hongguang Mini EV line developed by General Motors‘ three way partnership with Wuling Motors and state-owned SAIC Motor. GM China has a 44% stake, whereas SAIC holds 50.1%, in accordance with GM’s web site.

The preliminary Hongguang Mini EV launched in July with a beginning worth of only a couple thousand U.S. {dollars}. It has offered greater than 270,000 items over 270 days, in accordance with the corporate.

That Mini EV was second only to Tesla’s Model 3 by the number of new energy cars sold in China last year and climbed previous it into first place throughout the first quarter, in accordance with figures from the China Passenger Automobile Affiliation.

One other new mannequin from Hongguang Mini EV, the Macaron, has obtained greater than 45,000 orders in simply 10 days, in accordance with a launch.

Normal Motors and its joint ventures delivered greater than 780,000 automobiles in China within the first quarter of 2021, with the Hongguang Mini EV accounting for about 9%, according to GM.