If you want a real Mercedes G-Wagon to show everyone that you’ve got more money than time spent off-road, go for it. But if you have neither money nor time off-road, then I’ve got a quirky little alternative for you. Behold, the Chinese electric knock-off of a G-Wagon!
It’s a perfect choice for this week’s Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week entry, since it has so many quirks and so much charm stuffed into its shrunken down body.
It may look a bit like a purebred G-Wagon at first drunken glimpse, but don’t be fooled. A cursory glance at the hood ornament shows it actually appears to have a Mercedes father and an Acura mother.
No doubt brewed in the debts of Alibaba’s secretive EV laboratory, this little four-wheeler comes steeped in nearly G-Wagon design.
At just 2.9 meters long (9’6″), it’s never been easier to pull up onto a sidewalk while you run in to a store “for just a minute!”.
The entire thing only weighs 500 kg (1,100 lb), meaning the parking cop can just pick up one end at a time and shimmy you back down onto the pavement.
The top speed is listed at 35-45 km/h (21-28 mph), which seems a bit odd. I’ve never seen a top speed given in a range before, but perhaps it depends on how many people you’ve got in the car.
There are four seats, but the rather diminutive drivetrain may find itself struggling with a full load of entitled country club members.
That’s not the end of the quirks in this Chinese G-Wagon knock-off. In fact, it only gets better from here.
The air conditioning is listed as “manual”, which is a bit unclear but certainly doesn’t bode well. I’m a bit worried that there’s going to be one of those folding paper fans in the glove box with a label on it that says “air conditioning”.
And checking out the video below, the engine compartment seems to have been reimagined as a “frunk”. Or at least it could have been, had they put some sort of bottom in it. Instead, standing over it and popping the hood just gives you a good view of your shoes.
That’s apparently where the range extender motor goes, should you choose to install it. Adding that accessory boosts the range from the lead acid battery pack from 50 km (31 miles) all the way up to 110 km (68 miles).
Hmmm, maybe you will be able to reach those trails after all.
When it comes to pricing, I’ve got good news and bad news for you. The good news is that it’s ridiculously cheap, priced at just $2,200. The bad news is that the price doesn’t include batteries, which will add a good bit more to that figure. Oh and there’s more bad news: the minimum order quantity is three. You better get that shipping container ready.
And while we’re shoveling it on, keep in mind that the “real” price is likely to be significantly higher. I once bought a $2,000 electric pickup truck from Alibaba, only to end up paying closer to $8,000 by the time it dropped onto my folks’ driveway in Florida. To be fair, it was worth it. That thing has become a veritable workhorse on the family ranch, but suffice it to say that you’re going to have to reach a bit deeper into your trust fund than you expected if you want to make one of these knock-off G-Wagons yours.
And as usual, please remember this disclaimer: I absolutely, positively, unreservedly implore you not to take the risk of ordering something like this from China. Not only is it not even close to being street-legal in the US and thus not legal to import, but you’ve got a very real chance of never seeing the vehicle or your money again. I recently got scammed buying a mini-excavator from Alibaba (that story is still coming, once I cool off) and so despite having several positive purchases behind me, it’s still easy to get screwed royally.
So instead let’s just enjoy this thing from the safe distance of our computer screens. Or let’s get real, probably from your phone screen in the bathroom. Yep, there are a bunch of dudes out there who feel awkwardly seen right now.
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Tesla sales were down in every European country except for the UK in the first quarter, and there’s a reason why.
That’s while electric vehicle sales are still booming in Europe.
Tesla’s sales declined for the first time in Europe last year, but the decline accelerated in 2025.
Over the last three months, we have been reporting on worrying sales results for Tesla across most European markets, especially in important markets like France and Germany.
Now, we have the delivery numbers for Tesla in all European countries, and the automaker is down 37% on the old continent compared to 2024, which was already a down year for Tesla.
On top of it, Tesla is down in every single country except the UK.
Here are Tesla’s Q1 2025 deliveries in each European country compared to Q1 2024:
| Country | Q1 2024 | Q1 2025 | Change |
| Germany | 13,068 | 4,935 | -62.2% |
| UK | 11,768 | 12,474 | 6.0% |
| France | 11,360 | 6,696 | -41.1% |
| Belgium | 7,219 | 3,019 | -58.2% |
| Netherlands | 6,854 | 3,445 | -49.7% |
| Norway | 5,121 | 3,817 | -25.5% |
| Other | 4,420 | 3,301 | -25.3% |
| Sweden | 4,312 | 1,929 | -55.3% |
| Italy | 3,721 | 3,469 | -6.8% |
| Spain | 3,601 | 3,169 | -12.0% |
| Denmark | 3,558 | 1,549 | -56.5% |
| Switzerland | 3,264 | 1,238 | -62.1% |
| Portugal | 2,888 | 2,145 | -25.7% |
| Austria | 2,506 | 1,304 | -48.0% |
| Poland | 1,264 | 899 | -28.9% |
| Finland | 894 | 475 | -46.9% |
The drop in sales in Germany was the most devastating for Tesla. It went from being Tesla’s biggest European market to being a distant third.
France also saw a significant 41% decline in sales.
This is also happening while electric vehicle sales are surging, regardless of Tesla’s performance.
Tesla is feeling the pain virtually everywhere in Europe except in the UK, but that’s because Tesla is selling its vehicles for much cheaper there.
In the UK, the Model Y PCP leasing starts at £399, which is the equivalent of €462, when the same vehicle starts €570 in Germany:
Interestingly, that’s not the case for the Model 3, which starts higher in the UK than in Germany.
Electrek’s Take
The reason for that is unclear to me. I’d love to hear theories in the comment section.
Could it be that Tesla planned to produce too many right-hand-drive vehicles and had to lower prices to ensure that it could deliver them?
It’s unclear, but I think the theory has some traction since I just learned that Tesla is also already discounting the new Model Y in Hong Kong – another right-hand-drive market.
Either way, I think it’s clear at this point that Tesla is having significant brand issues in Europe, in addition to increased competition.
Yes, Model Y had some supply issues due to the design changeover, but Model 3 sales are also down 11% compared to Q1 2024, when Tesla was still ramping up production of the Model 3 design refresh.
Tesla shareholders need to wake up. This is a self-inflicted wound that can be remedied by removing Elon Musk.
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That Kia EV sedan we’ve been waiting for is almost here. Kia also confirmed it will launch a midsize pickup in North America. Next week, three new Kia vehicles, including the EV4, its first electric sedan, will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Here’s what to expect.
Kia’s first electric sedan will debut at the NY Auto Show
Back in 2023, the EV4 stole the show as a concept during Kia’s first EV Day. Earlier this year, Kia unveiled the production model, debuting as the brand’s first electric sedan and hatchback.
The electric sedan is among the most highly anticipated EV launches of 2025. Kia’s EV4 will arrive this year as part of its low-cost EV lineup, and it could be a true challenger to the Tesla Model 3.
After opening orders in Korea last month, Kia said the EV4 will “set a new standard for electric sedans,” starting at just 41.92 million won, or about $28,000. It has two battery options, 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, providing a range of 237 miles (382 km) and 331 miles (533 km) in Korea.
With its North American debut now officially set for next week, Kia teased the new EV, claiming it will be one of three new vehicles.
The new vehicles include a sedan, an SUV, and “something in between.” Two will be fully electric, while the other offers a “sporty and versatile approach in the compact car segment.”
More EVs are on the way, including an electric pickup
During its CEO Investor Day on Wednesday, Kia confirmed plans to launch a new midsize EV pickup for North America. In the long-term, the company aims to eventually sell 90,000 units for about 7% of the market share.
Kia’s electric pickup will be based on a new EV platform built for city and outdoor use. According to Kia, it will offer “best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities, and advanced infotainment and safety features.”
Following the EV6 and EV9, Kia is expanding its electric car lineup with the new EV3, EV4, and EV5, which will roll out this year. Kia is also launching its first electric van, the PV5, to kick off its new PBV business.
By 2030, the company plans to sell 2.33 million electrified vehicles, accounting for 56% of global sales. This includes 1.26 million EVs and 1.07 million hybrids.
As it expands its lineup, Kia expects electrified models to account for 70% of sales in North America, 85% in Europe, and 73% in Korea by the end of the decade.
Kia boasted that it will “lead the mass adoption of EVs by expanding its EV lineup with the addition of another volume model, the EV2,” which is expected to launch in early 2026.
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