At a pivotal juncture in the global automotive industry’s transformation, China’s new energy vehicles have garnered significant international attention.
Recently, news emerged that King Charles III of the United Kingdom has chosen to purchase an electric SUV from Wuhan, China – the Lotus Eletre. This has swiftly become a focal point for major media outlets. The British “Times,” “The Sun,” “Daily Mirror,” and numerous other media have reported on this new royal family trend, highlighting the influence and competitiveness of China’s new energy vehicles in the global market.
Lotus Eletre is the maiden ultra-luxury electric SUV under the Lotus brand. It is manufactured at the Lotus Automobile Global Smart Factory, located in Wuhan Economic Development Zone, also known as “China Auto Valley,” with a price tag of approximately 120,000 pounds. This model seamlessly blends top-tier performance with environmental protection concepts, and will even be specially painted in the royal family’s traditional crimson hue, tailored for Charles’ country villa. This choice underscores the royal family’s endorsement of high-end electric vehicles and reflects the new image of ‘Made in China’ in the luxury car market.
In recent years, the global automotive market has undergone a profound transformation, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles. With heightened environmental awareness and technological advancements, new energy vehicles have increasingly become the market mainstream. Charles III’s car choice serves as a strong testament to this trend. The success of Lotus Eletre not only exemplifies China’s new energy vehicle technology but also demonstrates the emergence of Chinese brands in the international arena.
The establishment of the Lotus Cars’ global smart factory marks a significant milestone in China’s new energy vehicle industry. With a total investment exceeding 8 billion yuan, this factory is the world’s first to be planned, designed, and constructed entirely using 3D digital twin technology. It is also a national-level 5G factory. Through a highly flexible production line, the factory can swiftly switch and produce up to 96 models with different configurations, embodying the high-end private customization concept of “1,000 people, 1,000 cars.” This advanced production model not only enhances production efficiency but also offers consumers more personalized options.
Leveraging Hubei’s automobile industry’s robust supply chain strength accumulated over 50 years, the localization rate of the supply chain at Lotus Automotive’s global smart factory has reached an industry-leading 60%. This implies that the production of Lotus Eletre and other models can better cater to market demand, reduce production costs, and enhance product competitiveness.
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Post time: May-23-2025