Dongfeng Aims to Sell Two Sub-$35,000 EVs in Canada Next Year

# Dongfeng Aims to Sell Two Sub-$35,000 EVs in Canada Next Year

July 20, 2026 — Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the Chinese state-owned giant that made waves at Montreal's Old Port last week, confirms plans to sell two electric vehicles under $35,000 in Canada as early as 2027, according to a Globe and Mail investigation.

This is a game-changing announcement. While BYD targets the mid-range (Seal at $44,990, ATTO 3 at $39,990), Dongfeng is attacking the market's most sensitive segment head-on: the affordable electric vehicle.

The Two Models Identified

1. Dongfeng Nammé 01 — The ~$32,000 City Car

The Nammé 01 (also spelled Nammi) is Dongfeng's spearhead for the affordable urban segment. Already sold in China and undergoing European homologation, this compact hatchback offers:

The entry-level version at $32,000 — with the 42 kWh battery — would be Canada's cheapest new electric vehicle. In Quebec, the $2,000 Roulez Vert rebate would bring the net price to $30,000, a threshold never reached for a new EV in Canada.

2. The Second Model — A Strategic Mystery

The Globe and Mail reports Dongfeng is preparing a second model under $35,000 but doesn't specify which. Three candidates are likely:

The most likely candidate is the electric Aeolus. It's a proven model, already produced at scale, and its crossover positioning matches Canadian tastes better than a pure city car.

Why Dongfeng Is Going All-In on Affordable

Dongfeng's strategy is radically different from BYD's. Where BYD attacks with a full lineup (from the $33,000 Seagull to the $45,000 Seal), Dongfeng concentrates resources on the segment where consumer pain is sharpest: the entry-level EV.

Recall that in 2026, the average new EV in Canada exceeds $55,000. The Chevrolet Bolt EV ($38,000) was discontinued. The Nissan Leaf ($40,000) is at end of life. The sub-$35,000 segment is virtually empty — and that's exactly where Dongfeng wants to strike.

Timeline: 2027, but When?

Dongfeng hasn't yet filed its homologation paperwork with Transport Canada. However, the automaker has an advantage: its Nammé 01 and Voyah Free models are already certified in Europe, which simplifies certain Canadian compliance steps.

The likely timeline:

This is faster than the initially estimated 2028 timeline. Dongfeng's European experience and its historic partnerships with Honda and Nissan — which have established dealer networks in Canada — could accelerate deployment.

What This Means for BYD, Chery, and Tesla

Dongfeng's entry with two sub-$35,000 models applies direct pressure on:

And for traditional automakers (GM, Ford, Toyota), it's a confirmed nightmare: they abandoned the affordable segment, and Chinese automakers are filling it at breakneck speed.

FAQ

Q: What are the two Dongfeng models under $35,000?

A: The Nammé 01 (~$32,000) is confirmed. The second model isn't officially named, but the electric Aeolus (~$30,000-$38,000) is the most likely candidate.

Q: Will these vehicles qualify for the federal EVAP rebate?

A: No. Like all Chinese-made EVs, they're not eligible for the $5,000 federal EVAP rebate, which requires USMCA-country manufacturing. Quebec's $2,000 Roulez Vert rebate remains available.

Q: When can we buy them?

A: Likely Q3 2027 for the Nammé 01, if Canadian homologation proceeds as expected. Dongfeng benefits from its existing European certifications to accelerate the process.