(Yicai) April 19 -- China’s Dongfeng Motor Group, which is reportedly in talks with the Italian government about producing cars in the European country, has launched its high-end electric vehicle brand Voyah in Italy.

Italian consumers can now choose from three Voyah models: a sport utility vehicle, a minivan, and a sedan. Dongfeng also aims to bring hybrid models to the Italian market as soon as possible, the Wuhan-based automaker said on its website yesterday.

Italy’s EV penetration rate is less than 20 percent, so the government has brought out many policies this year to encourage residents to buy them.

Dongfeng is also in early talks with the Italian government about building a factory in the country that can turn out more than 100,000 vehicles a year, Bloomberg News reported on April 16, citing Qian Xie, head of the company’s European operations.

Chinese carmakers that started making EVs early entered the European market in recent years through countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. Many brands, including Voyah, Xpeng, Nio, and BYD, are using Nordic countries as their gateway to the continent as their residents are more open to buying new energy vehicles. The NEV penetration rate is 88.5 percent in Norway.

Voyah entered the Czech Republic earlier this month and plans to launch in Slovakia, Germany, Spain, and Portugal, as well as member countries of the China’s Belt and Road Initiative, according to its plans.

Xpeng intends to begin selling its EVs in Germany next month. Leapmotor Technology also plans to enter mainstream markets in Europe, starting this year.

China exported 4.9 million vehicles last year, up 58 percent from the previous year and Europe was one of the main destinations, according to customs data. EVs made up almost a quarter of the total sum.

Editor: Emmi Laine