Neta EVs coming to Malaysia: Here’s all you need to know

The Chinese EV makers are rapidly expanding their footprints in Malaysia, with BYD (Build Your Dream) and Great Wall Motors leading the way. The latest player to join the fray is ‘NETA,’ another promising EV brand from China that is poised to make waves in Malaysia's EV market. In today’s story, we will be discussing the upcoming Chinese automaker in detail; its origin, the EVs it offers in China and other markets, and what we can expect from Neta's arrival in Malaysia. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

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Neta origin

The Neta is a subsidiary of Zhejiang-based Hozon Auto New Energy Automobile Co. Ltd., co-founded in 2014 by Beijing Sinohytec and Zhejiang Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University. The company began developing its Neta brand in June 2018 with the vision of “making high-quality smart electric vehicles readily available.” Under the new brand, the automaker launched its first production electric vehicle, the Neta N01, in Nov 2018.

Neta presence around the world

Currently offering three EVs in the home market, Neta aims to have a commanding presence in ASEAN, South Asia, and the Middle East regions. It has started establishing business units in Thailand and Europe. 

The former will be located in Bangkok as the brand’s first production facility outside China. Set to commence operations in 2024, the plant will serve as a key location for manufacturing and exporting electric cars to ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brunei. According to Neta CEO Zhang Yong, the company will build “several world-class intelligent EV manufacturing bases simultaneously” to advance its globalisation plans.

Neta EVs on sale

As mentioned earlier, Neta currently retails three electric vehicles, named Neta S, Neta U-II, and the Neta V. Here are the key highlights of these EVs -

Neta V

First introduced in 2020, the Neta V is an electric hatchback that measures almost the same as the Toyota Yaris. It underpins the HPC platform housing a front-mounted electric motor that generates a maximum power of 95 PS and a peak torque of 150 Nm and a 38.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a range of 384 km (on the NEDC cycle). As for charging, it supports both AC and DC charging; the 6.6 kW AC port can juice up the battery in eight hours while the 100 kW fast charger provides 30-80% state of charge in just 30 minutes.

In terms of features, the Chinese-spec Neta V comes loaded with automatic projector headlamps, LED tail lights, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloys, a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch digital instrument panel, a keyless entry and start, electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, synthetic leather upholstery, 4-way powered front seats, two airbags, hill start assist, and hill descent control.

Recently showcased at the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show, the Neta V price in Thailand starts at THB 549,000 (approx RM 71k).

Neta U-II

The successor of the Neta U, the Neta U-II is an electric crossover that comes fitted with two electric motors in two different iterations. The base spec delivers a maximum power of 163 PS and a peak torque of 210 Nm, while the top spec is rated at 231 PS and 310 Nm. The available battery sizes are - 54.32 and 81.57 kWh, cruising the EV up to 401 and 610 km, respectively. Compared to the Neta V, it is better equipped with advanced systems like a 21-speaker sound system, 17.6-inch central control screen lane, keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking.

Neta S

Also on display at the Thai event is the Neta S EV, which is a stylish sedan with gullwing doors and a dynamic aesthetic. Among the other key exterior highlights of the EV are prominent intake areas, ultra-slim LED DRLs, a tailgate spoiler, and full-width tail lights. 

Based on the company’s Shanhai platform, the electric sedan is powered by either a rear-mounted electric motor or an all-wheel drive setup with two electric motors. The battery capacities range from 43.51 to 91 kWh, offering all-electric travel of 310 km to 715 km on a single charge.

As the brand’s flagship model in China, the Neta S comes equipped with several premium bits, including the Neta Pilot system. 

Neta coming to Malaysia 

The Chinese automaker has confirmed its Malaysian arrival with the launch of Neta Auto Malaysia’s website and social media pages (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram). The local website also teases one of the brand’s EVs i.e. Neta V. However, there have been no official announcements regarding the Neta EVs distributor in Malaysia as of now.

Are you excited about Neta EVs upcoming launch in Malaysia? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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