Kaiyi Auto (Yibin Kaiyi Automobile Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese automotive manufacturer specializing in affordable cars, particularly SUVs, sedans, and electric vehicles (EVs). The company was founded in 2014 as a subsidiary of Chery Automobile, originally operating under the name Cowin Auto (凯翼汽车) before rebranding to Kaiyi Auto in 2022.
Kaiyi Auto is headquartered in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, making it the only Chinese-owned auto brand based in Sichuan. The company focuses on producing low-cost vehicles targeting young consumers, especially in small and mid-sized cities.
Company History
Cowin Auto (2014–2022): Establishment & Growth
- 2014: Cowin Auto was established as a subsidiary of Chery Automobile to serve as a budget-friendly brand targeting young buyers.
- November 2014: The first Cowin-branded vehicles, the C3 sedan and C3R hatchback, went on sale.
- 2016: The Cowin X3 SUV was introduced, followed by the larger X5 SUV in 2017.
- 2020: The E5 sedan was launched, offering a more powerful alternative to Cowin’s earlier sedans.
- 2020: The Showjet SUV was introduced to revive the brand’s declining popularity.
- 2018–2022: Cowin’s ownership structure changed, with Yibin City acquiring a majority stake, leading to a complete rebranding.
Rebranding to Kaiyi Auto (2022–Present)
- July 2022: The company rebranded from Cowin Auto to Kaiyi Auto, changing its brand identity and vehicle lineup.
- December 2022: The Kaiyi Kunlun SUV became the first new model under the Kaiyi name.
- January 2023: Kaiyi expanded internationally, launching sales and local production in Russia at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad.
- October 2023: The Kaiyi Shiyue hatchback was introduced, derived from the i-EA 01 concept.
Ownership Structure & Yibin City Takeover
Transfer from Chery to Yibin Municipal Government
- 2018: As part of Chery’s restructuring, Yibin City acquired 51% of Cowin Auto for RMB 2.5 billion (approx. $800 million).
- 2019: The company’s headquarters and production were relocated to Yibin, Sichuan Province.
- 2022: Chery further reduced its stake, retaining only 18% ownership, while Yibin City gained full operational control of Kaiyi Auto.
Vehicle Lineup
🚗 Current Models (Kaiyi & Cowin Series)
✔ Kaiyi Xuandu – Compact sedan, formerly Cowin Xuandu.
✔ Kaiyi Kunlun – Mid-size SUV, launched in December 2022.
✔ Kaiyi Shiyue – Compact electric hatchback, based on the i-EA 01 concept.
✔ Kaiyi i-EA 02 – Small electric SUV, part of Kaiyi’s new energy vehicle expansion.
✔ Kaiyi Tanggu – New SUV model designed for the domestic & export markets.
✔ Cowin Showjet (Xuanjie) – Updated SUV, originally launched under Cowin Auto.
🚙 Images:
🖼️ Kaiyi Xuandu
🖼️ Kaiyi Kunlun
🖼️ Kaiyi Shiyue
🚙 Former Models (Cowin Auto Legacy Vehicles)
✔ Cowin C3 & C3R – First sedan and hatchback models, launched in 2014.
✔ Cowin E3 & E5 – Budget-friendly compact sedans.
✔ Cowin X3 & X5 – SUV lineup, introduced in 2016 and 2017.
✔ Cowin V3 & V7 – Compact MPVs, designed for family buyers.
🚙 Images:
🖼️ Cowin X3
🖼️ Cowin X5
🖼️ Cowin C3
Production & Expansion
🏭 Manufacturing Facilities
📌 Yibin, Sichuan (2019–Present)
- New automotive plant opened in January 2019.
- Main production facility for Kaiyi-branded vehicles.
📌 Wuhu, Anhui (Pre-2019)
- Original Cowin Auto production facility, now mainly used for Chery models.
🌍 International Expansion
✔ Russia – January 2023: Kaiyi began selling and assembling vehicles in Russia at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad.
✔ Latin America – Kaiyi plans to expand exports to South America and Southeast Asia.
Sales Performance (2015–2023)
📊 Annual Sales Figures:
| Year | Total Sales |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 24,000 |
| 2016 | 51,142 |
| 2017 | 43,000 |
| 2018 | 41,556 |
| 2019 | 32,900 |
| 2020 | 33,300 |
| 2021 | 20,300 |
| 2022 | 34,500 |
| 2023 | 52,013 |
📈 Kaiyi Auto saw significant growth in 2023, benefiting from its rebranding strategy and expansion into Russia.
Future Prospects & Strategy
✔ Focus on Affordable Electric Vehicles (EVs) – Expansion of the Kaiyi i-EA series to compete in China’s growing EV market.
✔ Global Expansion – Increasing exports to Russia, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
✔ Product Innovation – Developing more SUV and crossover models, targeting young buyers.
✔ Government Backing – With Yibin City as a major shareholder, Kaiyi Auto has strong financial support.
Conclusion
Kaiyi Auto, formerly Cowin Auto, has successfully transitioned into a budget-friendly and growing automaker under the ownership of Yibin City. With a focus on affordable SUVs, sedans, and electric vehicles, Kaiyi Auto is positioning itself as a strong competitor in both domestic and international markets. 🚘⚡
| Website | https://www.kaiyihome.com |
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