In a strategic move to address sluggish sales, Baojun, the collaborative venture between China's SAIC, Wuling, and General Motors from the United States, is expanding its Yep SUV lineup by introducing the Yep Plus. Responding to customer feedback, the Yep Plus brings added practicality and size to the compact and robust SUV, seeking to captivate a broader market.
In 2023, the standard Yep managed to secure only 14,683 unit sales, prompting the introduction of the Yep Plus as a response to customer demands. Priced around $11,800, the Yep was positioned with hopes for more robust sales. The Yep Plus seeks to build on the Yep's foundation by incorporating two additional doors and enhanced practical features.
Equipped with a 28.1 kWh battery pack, the original Yep offers a range of 303 km per charge with 67 hp and two doors. While the battery specifications for the Yep Plus have yet to be disclosed, the four-door variant boasts an extended range of 401 km per charge. Baojun has upgraded the motor to deliver 101 hp, achieving a top speed of 150 km/h, aiming to attract a wider audience through improved performance and practicality.
Retaining the boxy, off-road-ready design of the standard Yep, the Yep Plus presents a city-friendly yet rugged aesthetic, resembling a scaled-down Ford Bronco Sport, especially with its distinctive two-tone paint scheme. The interior details for the Yep Plus remain undisclosed, but the Yep, known for its surprisingly advanced tech features in its price range, comes standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a matching instrument screen.
Notably, the Yep Plus, like its predecessor, caters to tech-savvy consumers, although it appears to have omitted the trunk-mounted screen found in the Yep, which facilitates communication with vehicles behind. The availability of this feature on the Yep Plus may be optional, providing additional customization for users.
Anticipated to debut in the Chinese market in the first quarter of 2024, the Yep Plus has yet to reveal its pricing details. However, Chinese media reports suggest an estimated cost of around $21,100, positioning it strategically in the market as a compelling and upgraded alternative within the Baojun lineup.