20210720 Aiways U5 electric sport-utility vehicles Main

Aiways U5 electric sport utility vehicles are now being sold in Europe, where the company is using livestreaming events to drum up interest. © Getty Images

China's EV startups challenge giants in Europe and Japan

Green shift a tailwind for new companies as battle among local players heats up

ERI SUGIURA and NIKKI SUN, Nikkei staff writers

July 23, 2021 06:00 JST

TOKYO/HONG KONG -- When it comes to smartphones and laptops, "Made in China'' is starting to lose its negative connotations for consumers in the West. Chinese automaker Aiways sees no reason why the same shouldn't apply to electric vehicles.

The Shanghai-based startup unveiled its latest model -- the all-electric U5 SUV -- for the French market in an online event last month.