Windrose, a Chinese electric truck startup, is planning to establish a U.S. assembly plant for its semi-trucks to cater to the American market directly from 2025. This move by Windrose signifies a bold challenge to Tesla, a prominent player in the electric vehicle sector. The founder and Chief Executive, Han Wen, revealed this plan in a recent interview and highlighted the company’s focus on expanding its operations to the United States.
The decision to set up a plant in the U.S. comes amid a shifting political landscape, with the Biden administration imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and excluding components linked to China from its electric auto incentive schemes. This has made it challenging for Chinese EV companies like BYD, the largest EV maker in China, to penetrate the American market. Windrose’s strategic move to establish a U.S. plant in Georgia aims to overcome these hurdles and cater to the growing demand for heavy electric trucks in the country.
Windrose’s heavy truck will directly compete with Tesla’s Semi, offering comparable performance and pricing at around $250,000. The vehicles will come equipped with a battery pack of over 700 kilowatt hours, providing a range of more than 670 km on a single charge while carrying a load of 49 tons. This aggressive pricing strategy and focus on performance aim to position Windrose as a strong competitor to Tesla in the electric truck segment.
Apart from the U.S. market, Windrose is also eyeing opportunities in Europe by planning to set up an assembly plant in Belgium next year. The move to expand operations in Europe comes at a time when the European Union has imposed additional tariffs on EVs imported from China. Windrose’s founder, Han Wen, acknowledges the need for developing a local EV supply chain in Europe, similar to what China has achieved in recent years. By establishing a presence in Belgium, Windrose aims to leverage the region’s potential and contribute to the development of the EV industry in Europe.
Windrose, which was founded by Han Wen two years ago, is gearing up to deliver its first batch of electric trucks in China in August. With plans to achieve a global production capacity of more than 10,000 units annually by the end of 2027, Windrose is poised for significant growth in the coming years. Han Wen’s team of 140 employees is actively involved in developing and designing the company’s electric trucks, while manufacturing is outsourced to established Chinese automakers like Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group and Higer Bus. Windrose’s battery suppliers, CALB and EVE Energy, are also investing in building battery plants in Europe to support the company’s expansion plans.
Windrose’s decision to set up a U.S. assembly plant and expand its operations to Europe marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory. By strategically positioning itself in key markets and competing directly with established players like Tesla, Windrose is poised to make a mark in the global electric vehicle industry. With a focus on performance, pricing, and local manufacturing, Windrose is gearing up to challenge the status quo and drive innovation in the electric truck segment.