Pekema appoints 23 dealers ahead of Dongfeng Box EV launch – experience centres at Cyberjaya and KD

Central Auto Distributors (CADB), a subsidiary of the Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia (Pekema), has appointed 23 dealers nationwide ahead of the launch of the Dongfeng Box EV in Malaysia. There will be two ‘experience centres’ too, at Cyberjaya (Wisma Yayasan Pekema) and Kota Damansara.

The Box was previewed last month and CADB said then that the showing was a world premiere in right-hand-drive form, and that they are targeting October for the launch, so it’s just around the corner. Pekema, a conglomerate of parallel importers, has already signed an MoU with NexV Manufacturing for CKD local assembly, although the initial batch will be CBU imports from China.

CADB is planning on selling just the higher of the two specs available. Internally called the E3, it’s powered by a front electric motor with 95 PS (70 kW) and 160 Nm, good for a top speed of 140 km/h. Compared to the BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard Range, the Box has the same amount of power but 20 Nm less torque.

The E3’s lithium iron phosphate battery comes with a 42.3 kWh battery, and range on the optimistic CLTC cycle is 430 km, which is 10 km more than the Dolphin Dynamic Standard Range. AC charging input is 6.6 kW and DC charging from 30 to 80% SoC takes around 30 minutes (max rate not disclosed).

Design-wise, the Dongfeng is far from being a box – it has a cute and organic look that some might see as junior smart #1. It even has that car’s flush pop-out door handles and frameless windows, which are very surprising in this segment. The E3 rides on 17-inch two-tone five-spoke alloys.

Inside, there’s generous use of quilted faux leather, decorative straps ahead of the front passenger and a floating centre console that houses a Qi wireless charger, armrest storage box and additional open storage underneath. There’s even a drawer in place of a conventional glovebox. As for screens, there’s a 5.0-inch digital meter and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with a cat living in the UI.

Other features include automatic air con, a frameless rear-view mirror, 360-degree camera with a transparency function, 32-colour ambient lighting, six speakers and proximity door lock/unlock. Safety wise, it’s a full pack of ADAS features but just two airbags.

No estimated pricing was shared at the preview, but expect the Dongfeng Box to be priced in the ballpark of the Dolphin Dynamic Standard Range and Neta V, which are around the mandated RM100,000 floor price for CBU EVs. What do you think of the Box’s design and package?

GALLERY: Dongfeng Box E3 in Malaysia

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