Peugeot-Citroën Enter the Chinese EV Market with Hedmos 06

I hadn't heard of this Hedmos company before. It was created just a few days ago as a result of a joint venture between Peugeot, Citroën, and Dongfeng, the well-established Chinese company and one of the largest manufacturers in China. Dongfeng is a state-owned company, heavily supported by the Chinese government. This isn't the first time Peugeot and Dongfeng have collaborated; they have many joint projects. DPC (a name that holds the initials of these companies) is headquartered in Wuhan and was founded nearly 33 years ago, in 1992.

As part of one of their joint ventures, the three companies are launching the Hedmos 06 electric SUV in China, with an electric range of up to 502 kilometers.

What do we know about the Hedmos 06?

First, let's review some information about Hedmos, a new joint venture I hadn't heard of before. The Hedmos trademark was registered in 2019, and the company says its logo is inspired by the shape of “a compass needle pointing north”. However, upon closer inspection, it looks remarkably similar to the Tesla logo, a fact the company refuses to acknowledge, explaining its meaning. Although the Hedmos trademark was launched on March 3, it hasn't received much attention, and to be honest, I hadn't even heard of it back then. The car was supposed to be called the Fukand 06, a familiar name reminiscent of the Fukang cars manufactured by Dongfeng-Citroën.

 Sales of the car will begin in the second quarter of 2025, and deliveries in China will begin in May. Beyond that, we don't know anything about it. We don't know if it will enter the Arab market, but let's give it a chance to prove itself and attract attention as it expands in the market. 

Some details about the features

The all-electric Hedmos 06 measures 4,670 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,617 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. It is built on Dongfeng's DSMA platform and is powered by a single 160 kW (214 hp) electric motor that supports the front wheels. The company claims the 06 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, a predictable number for a compact electric crossover with such a number of hp. 

The Hedmos 06 is equipped with a 62.3 kWh battery, which guarantees an electric range of up to 520 km according to the CLTC test. The fast-charging allows the battery to be charged from 30% to 80% in 28 minutes. Inside, the Hedmos 06 has a simple, yet to my eye, luxurious and beautiful design, with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver and a 14.6-inch central display for controlling the systems. Its steering wheel is flat-bottom, for easy handling and a sporty feel.

The center console also includes cup holders and a wireless charging pad. DPC is expected to produce an electric car with standard specifications, not luxury EVs with over 500 horsepower, an acceleration that will stick your back to the seat, and a design from another universe. It's clear that it aims to create a brand that provides practical and economical electric vehicles for people who want a car that meets their daily needs, not their thirst for luxury. Chinese luxury electric cars are very beautiful, but sometimes you need less, at a more affordable price. This is a good move for the company, but we'll have to wait and see how it pans out. Given the history of successful joint ventures between Stellantis and Dongfeng, it's certainly worth the effort.