The Nammi Box 01 hatchback on display during a media event in Montreal on July 15, 2026.Miranda Lightstone/The Globe and Mail
Dongfeng, the fourth-largest state-owned Chinese automaker, has its sights set on the Canadian market – likely starting in Quebec – with two electric vehicles that each boast a maximum range of more than 400 kilometres and a starting price expected to excite Canadians.
“We are working on pricing being below $35,000 for both of the models coming in,” said Julie Mazorra Fernández, director of North World Industry (NWI), the Quebec-based importer handling the rollout.
While that price is attractive, the entry-level vehicles are noticeably smaller and more basic than what most Canadian drivers are accustomed to.
People look at a Dongfeng Nammi Box Electric Vehicle during a launch event in Montreal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.Graham Hughes/The Globe and Mail
The Vigo EV compact SUV on display during a media event in Montreal on July 15, 2026.Miranda Lightstone/The Globe and Mail
Dongfeng and NWI displayed six models at the Grand Quay in Montreal’s Old Port Tuesday. On Wednesday evening, media got a closer look at the two vehicles the automaker confirmed are undergoing federal certification for sale next year and Mazorra Fernández suggested the company is interested in also manufacturing cars in Canada.
However, for the vehicles showcased this week, only the exterior and interior designs reflect what will actually arrive in Canada. NWI says Dongfeng is making Canadian-specific versions of each model, altering the features, power and performance from global variants.
Julie Mazorra Fernandes, Director of North World Industry Inc., poses next to a Dongfeng Vigo Electric Vehicle in Montreal, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.Graham Hughes/The Globe and Mail
The two vehicles scheduled for release are the Nammi Box 01 and the Vigo EV. The Nammi Box 01 is a fully electric hatchback offering a range of up to 430 kilometres in higher trims and a 30-minute fast charge to 80 per cent. Meanwhile, the boxy Vigo EV compact SUV boasts a range of up to 480 kilometres in its top trim with an 18-minute charge time to 80 per cent.
Both vehicles – especially the Box – look and feel small when measured against what most Canadians typically drive. However, the interiors, while bare bones, felt surprisingly upscale with nice materials.
The dash of the Nammi Box 01.Miranda Lightstone/The Globe and Mail
The dash of the Vigo EV.Miranda Lightstone/The Globe and Mail
Inside the Box, a 12-inch centre-mounted touchscreen dominates a sparse dash and minimalist steering wheel. While global variants include wireless phone charging and electronic windows, the seats are manually adjusted unless buyers upgrade. Steel wheels are standard on base models while alloy wheels are standard on the highest trim. Power comes from either a 33- or 44 kilowatt-hour battery paired with a front motor that produces 94 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque, good for a top speed of 140 kilometres an hour.
At just more than four metres in length, the Box is about the same length as the Hyundai Venue, Canada’s cheapest car. One nice feature is its colour palette; buyers can choose from six exterior shades, four of which aren’t white or silver: blue, purple, pink and red.
The Vigo features a similarly sparse interior with a 12.8-inch centre screen, an 8.9-inch gauge cluster and more standard amenities. In other markets, it is equipped with either a 45- or 52-kilowatt-hour battery and a front motor that produces 160 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, good for a top speed of 150 kilometres an hour.
At 4.3 metres long, the Vigo is slightly shorter than the Nissan Kicks, Mazda MX-30 and Hyundai Kona. While its colour options aren’t as flashy as those on the Box, available shades include pale yellow, orange and green.
While both vehicles are sold only with front-wheel drive in other markets, NWI says Canadian versions will be fully winter-ready, featuring advanced thermal management, intelligent preconditioning and, crucially for our market, standard dual-motor all-wheel drive.
That will likely alter the power, performance and range from what is available elsewhere. Adding all-wheel drive and a second motor usually increases horsepower but decreases range unless bigger batteries are used. However, on small cars like these, finding more space for batteries can be a challenge. Dongfeng didn’t provide specifics on whether battery capacities will change or what power outputs might be.
The Nammi Box 01 is a fully electric hatchback with up to 430 kilometres of range.Miranda Lightstone/The Globe and Mail
The Vigo is a fully electric SUV with a range of up to 480 kilometres.Miranda Lightstone/The Globe and Mail
Both cars are currently going through the certification process to meet Transport Canada standards, said Mazorra Fernández. This involves modifications to comply with federal regulations before the cars can legally be sold.
“The goal remains to begin commercialization in Canada in 2027,” said Mazorra Fernández.
Dongfeng has been manufacturing vehicles for more than five decades and operates in more than 60 countries, including Europe. Across all of its brands, Dongfeng Motor Group sold about 2.5 million vehicles last year, according to China Daily. It also maintains joint ventures with Honda, Nissan, Stellantis’s Jeep, Peugeot and Citroën – and recently partnered with Huawei to launch a new brand.
Mazorra Fernández said NWI is still evaluating its Canadian sales strategy, choosing between a traditional dealership model or a direct-to-consumers approach. As for maintenance, she reassured potential buyers that the service model will include comprehensive after-sales support and training, managed jointly with Dongfeng.
This launch may signal a shifting tide. Speaking at the event, Li Wei, first secretary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, predicted that this joint effort will stimulate job growth in the domestic EV sector and help accelerate the expansion of Canada’s charging network.
“Our ambition goes well beyond importing vehicles,” Mazorra Fernández told the crowd. “We want to bring the industrial ecosystems of China and Canada closer together, build strong business partnerships right here and, in time, contribute to local production that draws on Canadian talent and industrial potential. Tonight is the first step in what we intend to be a lasting relationship.”
Under a new quota system, Canada allows up to 49,000 cars to enter the country from China at a tariff rate of 6.1 per cent. Since the program launched in May, 6,531 EVs have been imported from China, according to a running tally published by Global Affairs Canada.
Built-in-China electric Lotus Eletre SUVs that start at $120,000 have already begun arriving in Canada. Lotus was able to be first because the Eletre was ready to go for North America in 2024 when it was stalled by a 100-per-cent tariff introduced by the Biden administration. Canada followed with the same level of tariff a few months later.
Dongfeng Electric Vehicle's and hybrids are shown during a launch event in Montreal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Graham Hughes/The Globe and MailGraham Hughes/The Globe and Mail
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