NextEV To Launch Tesla Model X Rival In 2018 Or '19

Soon after debuting its bold EP9 and confirming it as the fastest electric vehicle to ever lap the #Nurburgring, Chinese company #NextEV says it is already preparing a rival to the Tesla Model X.

While the EP9 will hit the production line, it will be extremely expensive but moving forward, the company will launch affordable models. Its Model X rival will be the first of them and is expected to debut late next year.

Speaking with Automotive News, company co-founder Jack Cheng said that the electric SUV will use a 70 kWh battery pack and be able to achieve 330 miles on a charge over the European testing cycle. Perhaps of more importance than offering a range similar to the Model X in Europe however is Cheng’s assertion that it will be significantly cheaper than its American rival.

“It'll be positioned at Audi and BMW but with a Toyota price,” Cheng said, confirming that sales in the U.S. will commence in 2018 or early 2019.

Helping to bring the NextEV SUV to life will be Chinese automaker JAC Motors.