Brand new van brand Skywell to come to the UK market in 2025
Fri, 18 Oct 2024
A new Chinese van brand is set to join the UK market in 2025, having revealed its new model at the Paris Motor Show in October 2024.
Skywell claims it is a revolutionary EV brand with a rich heritage of commercial vehicle manufacturing. The all-electric Skywell ‘233’ will be available in a range of two wheelbases and two roof heights.
The van is Skywell’s first commercial vehicle to debut in Europe and will initially be available in two body lengths (5,490mm and 5,990mm) and two roof heights (2,200mm and 2,700mm), corresponding to a load volume range of approximately 9.5 to 13 cubic metres.
There will be an option of either a 3.5t or 4.25t gross vehicle mass (GVM); the latter offering a payload of up to 1,755kg.
Customers will have the choice of 88kWh or 105kWh LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries sourced from CATL – a global leader in heavy-duty EV batteries such as those found in Skywell’s buses – which is paired with a 150kW/370Nm Permanent Magnet Synchronous electric motor.
The Skywell 233 has a modern look, with a distinctive bumper and integrated grille design, sleek contours and curved front LED lightbars. In the cab it has a high level of equipment including a 15.6” touchscreen display, wireless phone charging, wireless smartphone connectivity and keyless entry and start.
Safety systems include Intelligent Cruise Assist (ICA), Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA).
Founded in 2000 as ‘Nanjing Golden Dragon’, Skywell established itself as one of China’s leading electric bus manufacturers and, in 2011, became part of the Skyworth Group – one of the world’s largest consumer electronics companies with annual turnover of £21bn.
The Skywell 233 is expected to make its UK debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham, in April 2025, when pricing and UK specification will be announced.
