Golden time for brand marked with special edition of city hatch.

TO mark having hit 1000 registrations in its first year of sale here, a new entrant brand out of China has issued its best-selling car in a distinctive colour scheme that reflects its rosy attitude and golden run.

Fifty examples of the Box hatchback, a city car that has accounted for more than 60 percent of Dongfeng’s sales, have been secured for availability with a special paintwork of rose gold, with a white roof, and a white and black interior.

The first shipment of 15 comes this month.

“When we launched our intention was to deliver value and break barriers to EV ownership, versatility and performance,” says Arek Zywot, Dongfeng general manager at Auto Distribution Holdings, the brand’s New Zealand distributor.

“Reaching more than 1000 sales in our first year is a significant milestone for Dongfeng in New Zealand, with Box and Vigo leading the charge.”

Box has been selling for $29,990 plus on-road costs, but that rises to $32,990 from January 1.

Twilight White is the standard colour, and other colours including this special finish cost $990, taking the price to $30,980.

Box was Dongfeng’s entry car here and made headlines both for being the country’s cheapest EV but also because the initial specification had such a low safety ingredient NZTA Waka Kotahi decided it had to be ‘unrated’ under the auspices of the Vehicle Safety Risk scoring system.

An improved specification provisioned in April, holding the same price as the original but updating - among other changes - the airbag count from two to six. The initial cars turned out to be hot property and that popularity has continued since.

Also announced is an 2027 year update at no extra cost to the make’s 007 large sedan. The entry $54,990 Long Range and $5000 dearer Performance now have heated front seats, a retractable rear spoiler and a 750kg towing capacity, braked or unbraked. The Performance can also be ordered with a new black and grey interior.

Dongfeng now has 12 dealers, which it says builds up to 80 percent national coverage. The five newest are in Henderson, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier and Palmerston North.