Electric truck manufacturer Windrose has announced plans to establish a US assembly plant for its semi-trucks, directly challenging Tesla on its home turf. Han Wen, founder and CEO of the Chinese company, revealed this strategic move, aiming to bolster their presence in the American market.
Georgia Chosen for New Assembly Plant
The new plant will be located in the southern state of Georgia, where the vehicle chassis and other parts manufactured in China will be assembled. Although Han did not disclose the investment amount for this project, he emphasized the importance of a US-based facility to better serve their American customers, who make up a significant portion of Windrose’s current order book.
Meeting Demand with Advanced Technology
Windrose boasts an order backlog of 6,400 trucks, with deliveries planned over the next three years. The company’s flagship heavy truck features a battery pack with a capacity exceeding 700 KWh, enabling a range of over 670 km on a single charge with a full load of 49 tonnes. This vehicle is designed to compete directly with Tesla’s ‘Semi’, both priced at approximately $250,000. While Tesla began manufacturing the Semi in 2022, its volume production is expected to start in late 2025, with an annual capacity target of 50,000 units at its Giga Nevada facility.
Strategic Market Positioning
Han highlighted that the US market is particularly welcoming to Chinese heavy electric trucks, partly due to lower tariffs compared to imported cars. This market-friendly environment, coupled with major clients like Nike, positions Windrose to effectively serve American firms within the US. “Many of our clients are US firms… and we can serve them in their home market,” Han stated in an interview with Reuters. With this strategic expansion, Windrose is poised to enhance its competitiveness and market share in the rapidly growing electric truck industry.
