The Geely group, the parent company of Lotus, Lynk & Co, Polestar, and Volvo, has just introduced a new brand: Radar. The first model of the new firm will be an electric pick-up, the Radar RD6, which is aimed at a public that is increasingly interested in outdoor activities (excursions, camping, etc.) after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although not many technical details of the truck have been revealed at the moment, it is known that it sits on the Chinese manufacturer’s SEA modular platform. Therefore, everything indicates that it will have a monocoque chassis (most pick-ups have a frame and cross-member chassis, except some “small” models such as the FIAT Toro, the Ford Maverick, or the Renault Oroch).
Available in rear and all-wheel-drive configurations, the Radar RD6 will have an output of between 200 and 400 hp depending on the version. The autonomy approved by this light commercial vehicle will be greater than 600 km under the Chinese cycle (CLTC), which usually yields higher figures than the American (EPA) and the European (WLTP).
Radar is a new brand belonging to Geely
Last year, pick-ups barely accounted for 2% of total car sales in China; however, its growth was higher than that of other segments. While passenger vehicle sales fell 13% during the first five months of 2022, vans only saw a 10% decline.
The Radar RD6 will be launched in its home market in the fourth quarter of the year; In addition, it will be launched in some markets in Southeast Asia later. At the moment it is not clear if Geely will try to market this model in other regions such as the United States, where this type of vehicle is in very high demand.
In the future, Radar’s product range will not only include pick-ups, but it will also market electric SUVs, and it is even planned to launch a quad. Apparently, in the short term, it will have two other pick-ups, both larger than the RD6, which leads us to think of a more than possible incursion into North American territory.
