Report

First EcoCentre selling China-built NEVs opens near LA

The Eco has landed.

In this case, the first US EcoCentre, which specializes in selling neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) made by China-based Liuzhou Wuling Special Purpose Vehicle Manufacturing Co., has opened for business, Plug In Cars reports.

The EcoCentre, which is operated by Lincoln and Jaguar dealer Ramon Alvarez, is in Irvine, CA, near Los Angeles, and also sells Coda Automotive electric vehicles. The NEVs, which have a top speed of 25 miles per hour and a single-charge range of up to 40 miles, range in price from $9,995 for the EcoE mini car to $17,995 for the EcoVan.

Alvarez first announced his intention to sell the EVs in July at the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers conference in Las Vegas. The cars might be small, but his hopes are big. He told Plug In Cars that he expects, "conservatively," to sign up dealers to open as many as 200 EcoCentres open in five years.

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