EV Maker IM’s New Model Goes on Sale Despite Shanghai Lockdown

Automotive Author: Chengyu Yang, Tao Ni Apr 21, 2022 11:45 AM (GMT+8)

IM L7, the new model from the Shanghai-based new energy vehicle maker, scheduled the delivery for late April. For this purpose, staff have gone into overdrive to ensure production at the SAIC Lingang plant by rotating shifts

Zhiji automobile

China’s EV startup IM will stick to its original plan of debuting its cars and published days ago the guidance price for its flagship IM L7 Dynamic sedan. 

According to the media, the model, a medium and large-sized sedan, will start at a price of CNY 368,800 (USD 57,800).

IM is a tie-up between SAIC, Zhangjiang High-tech Group, and Alibaba Group. 

Although SAIC has been severely affected by the epidemic, IM L7 models hit the market as scheduled, and delivery is expected to begin in late April.

“We’ve made tough decisions, in spite of the grim epidemic situation. The price of IM L7 must be announced on time,” says Liu Tao, co-CEO of IM. “Apart from a two weeks’ delay of test drive due to logistics reasons, the overall work proceeds as planned.”

To catch the delivery date, IM formed a task force to ensure production and supply. The members rushed back to the SAIC’s Lingang factory before a citywide lockdown was enforced at the end of March. According to SAIC, onsite staff at the plant is over 4,000, and they take turns working two shifts per day.

Epidemic control has also forced the Beijing auto show to be postponed, and the expected release at the show of new car models such as Li L9, Avatr 11, BYD Seal, and Neta 01 will be rescheduled.