Chinese automakers can make 1,000 horsepower electric pickups

The pickup model uses 4 electric motors for a combined capacity of 1,000 horsepower, equivalent to the American "dinosaur" Hummer EV.

SAIC Maxus, or Maxus - a subsidiary of SAIC, the parent company of MG and Roewe - will announce the new Interstellar brand on July 3. And Interstella will launch a commercial version of the GST pickup concept in 2024, as well as a premium electric pickup.

SAIC Maxus GST concept when it was unveiled at the Shanghai auto show in April. Photo: Drive

In 2022, SAIC Maxus sold more than 191,000 vehicles in China and 220,000 in overseas markets, including pickups and minivans. Its product portfolio includes SUV, MPV, pickup and RV models. Now, Maxus wants to increase market share in the pickup segment with an all-electric model.

In April, at the Shanghai auto show, Maxus introduced the GST electric pickup concept. The vehicle uses a semi-solid battery (with gel electrolyte, clay or synthetic resin), with an estimated 1,000 km journey per charge. Drive system with 4 electric motors for a total capacity of 1,000 horsepower and torque of 14,000 Nm.

The structure of GST is high-strength steel, independent suspension, intelligent off-road system with 12 driving modes.

The car door opens backwards, so there is no B column. The steering wheel is angled and the upper half is missing. Photo: Drive

The GST has a reverse opening door style, the rearview mirror is a camera, the partition between the cabin and the trunk can be opened up, creating a special type of rear door. The interior design is futuristic with a screen that stretches across the dashboard, a quadrangular steering wheel and a notch on the top half.

In early June, on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) China posted information about a new pickup called Interstellar by Maxus. Accordingly, there are three versions including L, H and R. And recently, Maxus applied for a patent with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for a new pickup model, with internal photos. The interior shows a similar design to the GST concept.

The GST electric pickup model will be manufactured at the factory in Wuxi, Jiangsu province - where it is said to have received an investment of more than 400 million USD. The commercial GST will also be a global product, which means it's not only sold in China.