The Dongfeng Box has finally launched in South Africa, almost a year after the brand announced its arrival. Here’s what this fully electric Chinese hatchback costs…
- Dongfeng Box officially hits the market in SA
- Launches as Mzansi’s 2nd most affordable EV
- Single-charge range tops out at claimed 430 km
Back in December 2024, Chinese automaker Dongfeng held a launch event in Gauteng, announcing its entry into South Africa’s new passenger-vehicle space and displaying the fully electric Box. Now, after an almost year-long wait, the Dongfeng Box is finally available locally.
Yes, thanks to the resourceful vehicle-information specialists over at duoporta.com, we can share pricing for the 5-seater Box, which is known as the “Nammi 01” in its domestic market of China.
According to duoporta.com, the 4-strong local range kicks off at R459 000, which makes the Dongfeng Box the 2nd most affordable fully electric vehicle (EV) in South Africa, after the recently launched BYD Dolphin Surf (which currently runs from R339 900 to R389 900).
While all Box derivatives feature a front-mounted electric motor delivering 70 kW and 160 Nm (and a top speed of 140 kph), Dongfeng offers the choice of 2 battery packs. The base Box E1 330 (R459 000) and Box E2 330 (R469 000) both employ a 32.6 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack offering a single-charge range of 330 km – on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
From what we can tell, the E1 330 rides on 16-inch steel wheels, while the E2 330 can seemingly be specified with 17-inch alloy wheels. The latter derivative furthermore scores faux-leather trim for its steering wheel and seats, as well as items like cruise control and a reverse-view camera. Interestingly, all variants across the range ship standard with only 2 airbags (dual front items).
Meanwhile, the Box E2 430 (R499 000) and Box E3 430 (R519 000) each employ a 43.9 kWh battery pack, which – like the name suggests – facilitates a claimed single-charge range of 430 km (again, a CLTC figure). The E3 grade features items such as climate control (as opposed to manual air conditioning), high-beam assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system.
The Box measures 4 020 mm from front to back (making it a mite shorter than, say, a Volkswagen Polo hatchback), while its wheelbase comes in at 2 663 mm. Interesting design features include frameless windows and flush exterior door handles.
As a reminder, Dongfeng is distributed locally by a company called “E Auto Motor”, which – based on the recently opened Pretoria dealership’s website (which describes itself as an “independent dealer working with” E Auto Motor) – also plans to launch the 06 SUV and 007 fastback in South Africa.
What does the Dongfeng Box cost in SA?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Dongfeng Box E1 330 | R459 000 |
| Dongfeng Box E2 330 | R469 000 |
| Dongfeng Box E2 430 | R499 000 |
| Dongfeng Box E3 430 | R519 000 |
The prices above include a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, an 8-year/200 000 drivetrain warranty (covering the battery pack, controller and electric motor) and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the starting price of the Dongfeng Box in South Africa?
A: The Dongfeng Box range in South Africa kicks off at R459 000 for the base Box E1 330 derivative. This price makes it the 2nd most affordable fully electric vehicle (EV) in the country.
Q: What is the claimed maximum single-charge driving range of the Box?
A: The top-spec variants (Box E2 430 and E3 430), which employ a 43.9 kWh battery pack, offer a claimed single-charge range of 430 km (seemingly based on the CLTC standard).
Q: What are the main power and battery specifications for the Dongfeng Box?
A: All Box derivatives feature a front-mounted electric motor delivering 70 kW of power and 160 Nm of torque. There are two battery packs offered: a 32.6 kWh pack (offering 330 km range) and a 43.9 kWh pack (offering 430 km range).
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