Chinese brands Seres and Skywell enter UK market

According to media reports, both companies signed a deal with Innovation Automotive, which will import electric cars from both Chinese brands. The EVs should be available in the second quarter of 2024. (Update at the end of the article)

Seres will offer its Nissan Qashqai-sized Seres 3. It has a 54 kWh battery and a front-wheel drive (120 kW). The range is said to be 205 miles or 330 kilometres. The Seres 3 will go on sale in the UK in April for less than 30,000 pounds (about 34,860 euros).

Seres is a subsidiary of the Chinese Sokon Group. It has already offered the Seres 5 in Europe since March 2023. It initially came with an 80 kWh LFP battery but received an upgrade in September.

Skywell will introduce its ET5 on the British market. The mid-size SUV will go on sale in the summer and offers a range of 304 miles (about 489 kilometres). There has been no indication of pricing so far.

Innovation Automotive calls itself the “UK’s first multi-brand electric vehicle company,” with the rights to distribute several electric vehicle brands. It already sells the DFSK compact electric van EC35 in the UK. Moreover, the company is actively seeking to establish a franchise dealer network in the UK to distribute the new vehicle models.

“This is a very thrilling period for IA Electric Vehicles as we welcome Seres and Skywell into the family, alongside DFSK,” says Gary White, IA Electric Vehicles’ general manager. “Both brands are highly regarded globally, and their technology, comfort, and refinement align perfectly with the UK marketplace.”

Update 20 February 2024

Things are getting a little more concrete for Seres. The company will launch the Seres 3 compact SUV in the UK this spring, with prices starting at £29,995. The carmaker will offer two trim levels, Active and Spirit. The latter starts at £31,995.

The Active will offer keyless start, a reversing camera, air conditioning and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display. The Spirit will also have a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging and heated front seats. As mentioned above, the Seres 3 has a 54 kWh battery and a front-wheel drive (120 kW), offering a WTLP range of 205 miles or 330 kilometres. The EV can fast charge from 20 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.

cardealermagazine.co.uk, fleetworld.co.uk, iaelectricvehicles.co.uk (update, specs)