Tesla is currently on tour in Europe with the Cybertruck (find out more here). The vehicle, which has not yet been registered in the EU, attracts crowds wherever it is parked. No wonder: the design and dimensions of the vehicle differ enormously from everything we know on local roads. The futuristic pick-up has been on the road in the USA since December 2023 – and not only causes astonishment, but also a lot of frustration (you can find out more here).
But regardless of the quality of the original, the hype surrounding the stainless steel electric car is already attracting obvious imitators. The Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng (translated as “east wind”) showed the electric truck at the Beijing Auto Show. There is no denying where the design comes from.
The shape of the car and the choice of color are certainly no coincidence. The interior is also reminiscent of the presumed model from the USA, wheels and hubcaps ditto. Of course, there are differences here and there, such as a slightly rounder shape, the out-of-place logo and external cameras instead of mirrors. The body is also not made of stainless steel, but is most likely made of conventional sheet metal. This also makes production much easier.
The Chinese manufacturer has not yet published technical data about the vehicle. Given the many defects that always lead to wild discussions among the owners of the Cybertruck, that would be exactly what would be exciting. Because it would probably be a first that a (brazen) copy of a vehicle might even end up being better than the original. As Carscoops reports, the e-truck will be based on the manufacturer’s so-called skateboard EV platform, which should enable up to 1305 hp. That would be significantly more than Tesla had to offer.
If Dongfeng puts the concept vehicle into practice and builds it in series, it is at least possible that the pure production numbers will exceed Tesla’s. Because according to the world, Dongfeng is the sixth largest car manufacturer. Actual numbers vary greatly, especially since Dongfeng has a strong commercial vehicle business.
The e-truck is not the first vehicle from the Chinese that is more or less roughly based on a Western model. Driving past, you would hardly be able to distinguish the Dongfeng Mhero I from a GMC Hummer EV. With this car, the group is now starting its expansion into Europe. The Mhero I is already available in Switzerland and is sold by Noyo AG. Starting price for the 3.4 tonne off-road vehicle: the equivalent of 152,588 euros. The monster currently lacks approval for the EU.
