EV Startup to Launch Crossover This Year

SF Motors Inc., a Chinese-owned company based in California, plans to launch its SF5 crossover vehicle later this year in China under the newly named Seres brand.

The company, which is part of China’s Chongqing Sokon Industry Group, will take wraps off the production version of the midsize SF5 next week at the Shanghai auto show. SF Motors also will display an updated version of the larger SF7 crossover, which will debut later.

The vehicles will be built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Chongqing. SF Motors also will produce vehicles at a former AM General SUV assembly plant in Mishawaka, Ind. The Chongqing factory has an annual capacity of 150,000 units, while the Indiana facility will top out at 50,000 vehicles.

The SF5 will ride on a 113-inch wheelbase and stretch to 185 inches from bumper to bumper. Seres says the crossover’s electric powertrain will generate 684 hp and 767 lb-ft of torque, propelling the vehicle from zero to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and to a top speed of 155 mph.

A 90-kWh battery will provide a driving range greater than 310 miles between charges. A range-extended variant will team a 33-kWh battery with a small piston-powered generator.