Canada is set to receive its first batch of Chinese-made EVs under the new trade agreement, as Lotus has shipped its Eletre SUVs.
The brand, owned by Geely, reportedly shipped 18 Eletre SUVs from its Shanghai port on May 7, with the cars destined for Canadian dealers.
This shipment of Eletre vehicles is the first delivery under the trade agreement between Canada and China, which replaced a 106 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs that was signed by former prime minister (and current boyfriend of Katy Perry) Justin Trudeau.
Although Lotus has been positioning itself as the first manufacturer to bring Chinese EVs to Canadian roadways, several other manufacturers are in discussions to bring them to Canada, including BYD and Chery.
The Eletre officially launched in Canada on April 24, with an eye-watering starting price of C$119,900. Not exactly the cheap EVs many were hoping for. According to EV, Canadian deliveries were expected in the third quarter.
A small note: Lotus isn’t the only Geely-owned brand currently selling vehicles in Canada; both Volvo and Polestar are also owned by the Chinese auto giant.
Source: EV
Image Credit: Lotus
