Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor is partnering with Faraday Future in a strategic effort to enter the US market through the introduction of a new electric vehicle model based on the Wey Gaoshan MPV. The move comes amid ongoing regulatory hurdles that have kept Chinese auto brands largely out of the US market.
The FX Super One, unveiled by Faraday Future on July 17, marks the debut model of the company’s second brand, FX. According to Chinese tech media outlet Yiou, the model is officially licensed by Great Wall Motor and built on the platform of the Wey Gaoshan MPV, a multi-purpose vehicle under Great Wall’s premium Wey brand.
Faraday Future’s founder Jia Yueting had previously outlined a “China-US automotive bridge” strategy, involving partnerships with four Chinese automakers. Great Wall Motor is reportedly the first of these partners to bring a model to market. The FX Super One retains much of the Gaoshan MPV’s design, including its exterior shape, while replacing the traditional front grille with a digital display screen.
Faraday Future began accepting pre-orders for the FX Super One immediately following the unveiling event, where the company reported 10,034 paid reservations. The company’s website also included references to the Gaoshan model in the FX Super One’s product description, further reinforcing the connection between the two vehicles.
Despite speculation that the FX Super One is a copy of the Wey Gaoshan, the collaboration was confirmed by Yiou’s report as a formal licensing agreement. The partnership allows Great Wall Motor to indirectly access the US market through Faraday Future, bypassing regulatory restrictions that have limited direct entry for Chinese automakers.
Great Wall Motor has continued to signal its global ambitions. On May 12, just before the Gaoshan MPV’s official launch in China, Chairman Wei Jianjun introduced the vehicle to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, describing it as a “global model” with plans to enter international markets in the second half of 2024, according to Yiou.
The Wey Gaoshan MPV is available in both six- and seven-seat configurations, with pricing in China ranging from RMB 309,800 ($43,310) to RMB 353,800. Its entry into the US via the FX Super One brand represents a notable attempt by Chinese automakers to navigate trade barriers and expand their presence in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets.