Italian EV startup Aehra unveils new premium sedan

By REUTERS | 16 June 2023


MILAN: Italian electric-vehicle startup Aehra today unveiled its new, European-made sedan which will serve the high-premium market segment and which joins the firm's sport-utility vehicle which was first displayed late last year.

Both models will start production in 2026, Aehra said.

They will be priced in the 160,000 to 180,000 euros range (up to RM910,000), placing them in what Aehra's co-founder and CEO, Hazim Nada, termed the "high premium and luxury" segment.

"When it comes to that segment, people are not yet ready for Chinese or American brands. Europe is still the reference," said Nada, a 40-year-old Italian-American.

648ae409eb905c3acb4dde64_AEHRA_Interior_Drive_Mode


The new sedan follows Aehra's electric SUV which was unveiled in November 2022. Both will have a top speed of 265 kph and a range of more than 800km, Aehra said.

First deliveries are expected in 2026, beginning in key markets including the US, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom. Aehra plans to open pre-orders next year.

Nada said full-scale production should occur in late 2027, with an annual production target of 25,000 vehicles for each model.

Both vehicles are so-called native EVs, which means most of the design is a new development and not based on a previous internal-combustion platform.

648ad6ca4b7fc1b0d93bb98f_Sedan_Open_Doors


Aehra, whose chief design officer and chief engineer were formerly at Lamborghini and Ferrari, respectively, has said it plans a total investment of 750 million euros (RM3.8bil).

Aehra is still assessing options for assembly. The preferred one, at least in the short term, is to rely on a large contract manufacturer, either in central or northern Europe, Nada said.

Another option is to start a new facility in Italy or buy and refurbish an existing one, but that would be possible only if backed by state funds, Nada said.

648ad89a0f1c0b0b23163114_B0000334_capture_2_capture


"We see a decision on this around the end of this year."

Aehra is working on its supply chain, and recently clinched a deal with Austria's Miba Battery Systems for 120 KWh custom NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) batteries, Nada said.

648ad762b4c707258ca6724d_Sedan_Rear

2023-06-16 18_53_22-AEHRA - Ultra premium electric vehicles made by Italian designers - Brave

Keywords