On April 18, Zhidou officially launched its Rainbow mini EV. Consumers can choose from a total of five models with a price range of 31,900 – 43,900 yuan (4,400 – 6,000 USD).
Zhidou was one of the earliest Chinese brands to enter the new energy mini-car market, with its first model launched in May 2014, which was later renamed to Zhidou D1. Subsequently, Zhidou launched the Zhidou D2 and Zhidou D3, both of which maintained a three-door and two-seater layout. However, due to various factors, Zhidou gradually faded out of the market until it announced its return in October 2023 after completing its capital strategy reorganization. Now, Geely‘s CEO, Gan Jiayue, serves as the chairman of the company.
The Zhidou Rainbow is available in seven exterior colors, namely, pink, purple, brown, yellow, cyan, green, and brown.
The size of the car measures 3224/1515/1630 mm, and the wheelbase is 2100 mm, adopting a three-door and four-seat layout.
Notable design elements include the Big Dipper headlights, carbon fiber external mirrors, Y-shaped lights, and 13-inch or 15-inch Roman shield wheel hubcaps, according to the brand.
The cockpit is cute with a pink background featuring a double-spoke steering wheel, a 5-inch full LCD instrument panel, and a 9-inch central control car screen. The knob-type physical buttons are retained under the central control screen.
Other configurations include mobile phone remote vehicle control, remote vehicle unlocking, remote car search, scheduled charging, and OTA updates. Additionally, Zhidou claims that there are more than 20 storage spaces throughout the interior. The standard trunk length is 390 mm, and the storage volume can be expanded to 1034 L by folding down the rear seats.
The entire series is powered by a 20 kW/85 Nm or 30 kW/125 Nm electric motor, paired with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack supplied by Guoxuan Hi-Tech. The battery pack is available in capacities of 9.98 kWh, 17.18 kWh, and 17.3 kWh, which correspond to a CLTC cruising range of 125 km, 205 km, and 201 km, respectively.
Furthermore, in the next three years, Zhidou plans to launch eight models, and in the next five years, launch a total of 16 models.
“However, due to various factors, Zhidou gradually faded out of the market…”
In 2016 Geely Automobile Holdings sold its stake in its Zhidou, subsidiary.
According to Automotive News China, that year the Chinese government had raised the minimum speed of EVs that qualify for subsidies, to 100 km per hour. The change in policy disqualified Zhidou, among others. And as a result, Zhidou posted a lost of 890 million yuan, in the first half of that year.