While the Nissan Ariya is a decent electric SUV, its sales haven’t exactly taken off the way the brand probably hoped. The Leaf, meanwhile, is well past its expiration date, though a successor is coming soon. Over in China, however, Nissan has launched an EV that’s actually generating real demand. That would be the N7, unveiled back in April and on sale shortly after.

According to Nissan, as of May 31, it had secured 17,215 orders for the new N7 in China in just one month. The company also noted that 70 percent of those orders came from first-time Nissan owners.

Read: Nissan’s New Electric Sedan Is As Big As A Maxima, Cheap As A Versa

It’s an impressive figure, although quick early sales aren’t unusual for newly launched EVs in China, where many models rack up tens of thousands of orders within months. Mazda, for example, is believed to have secured 20,000 pre-orders for the EZ-60 in just a matter of weeks. Chinese deliveries of the N7 began on May 15.

In a social media update, the company added that the N7 is currently the top-selling pure electric vehicle among joint ventures and ranks second among medium and large EVs priced under 200,000 yuan (around US$27,600). It didn’t specify the time period this ranking refers to, but it’s likely a monthly figure, so take that as you will.

Going Global

Perhaps buoyed by the warm reception in China, Nissan confirmed today that it plans to take the N7 global. However, it didn’t share any details about launch timing or which markets will get the car. One thing seems certain: the United States won’t be on that list. Europe, on the other hand, is a likely candidate, especially considering Mazda plans to offer its Chinese-made EZ-6 and EZ-60 SUV in several global markets, including Europe and possibly Australia too.

For what it’s worth, Nissan recently trademarked the Primera name in several markets, including Malaysia, hinting that the N7 might revive the long-dormant badge.

Not a Ground-Up Nissan Design

While this looks like a win for Nissan, it didn’t have to shoulder all the development work. The N7 borrows heavily from the Dongfeng eπ 007, the model it’s based on. That also means some of the cooler elements, like the eπ 007’s Lamborghini-style scissor doors, didn’t make it into Nissan’s version. Instead, the N7 makes do with standard doors, though most buyers likely won’t mind.

However, for the most part, the N7 is quite unconventional for a Nissan. It looks distinct from all of the brand’s other models, rocking a light bar up front and intricate LED headlights. It’s a similar story in the cabin where the N7 feels much more modern than any other Nissan, including the Ariya. Key features include a 15.6-inch infotainment display, wireless charging pads, a two-spoke steering wheel, and a very minimalist design.

Of course, even though the N7 is based on a Chinese model, Nissan’s local team couldn’t resist staging a photo op next to the most Japanese thing it could find, the soon-to-be-discontinued GT-R. Nothing screams shared DNA like a Chinese-sourced EV and a 16-year-old turbocharged JDM relic.

Affordable Pricing, Competitive Specs

Prices for the N7 start at a very affordable 119,900 yuan (around $16,600), at least by Western standards. The base model features a 58 kWh battery pack, delivers 215 horsepower, and offers a range of up to 317 miles (510 km) on a single charge.

Better-equipped versions with the same powertrain, labeled Pro and Max, are also available, priced at 129,900 yuan (about $18,000) and 139,900 yuan (around $19,400), respectively. Two variants with a larger 73 kWh battery are offered as well, starting at 139,900 yuan ($19,400) and reaching up to 149,900 yuan ($20,800).

John Halas contributed to this report.

Just when it looked like Chinese automakers had finally retired their industrial-strength photocopiers, along comes a new release to remind us that old habits die hard. The Dongfeng Nano 06 is a compact electric SUV with angular styling that looks suspiciously familiar.

And by familiar, we mean it bears more than a passing resemblance to the Kia EV3, a small electric crossover slated to launch in the US next year. While Kia is still mulling over whether to bring the EV3 to China, Dongfeng went ahead and jumped the line for them.

Also: The Tesla Model Y Has A New Rival From Toyota That’s Half The Price

The Nano 06 was first shown in April and has just hit the order books in China. To be fair, it’s not a carbon copy of the Kia, but the similarities are far from subtle either. The proportions, the shape of the greenhouse, the LED headlights, and even the plastic wheel arch cladding all echo the EV3’s design. Toss in the 17-inch alloy wheels that seem pulled straight from Kia’s sketchpad, and it becomes pretty clear this wasn’t just a coincidence.

To sidestep any legal drama, Dongfeng has given the Nano 06 a few distinguishing features. There are different bumpers, sculpted taillights, and a more conventional surface treatment along the sides. One genuinely original touch is the split tailgate, with the lower section doubling as a makeshift table or seat once parked.

Inside, the Nano 06 promises a fairly roomy five-seat cabin that can transform into a sofa-bed under the panoramic sunroof. The trunk features a three-layer setup with a total of 500 liters (17.7 cubic feet) of space, plus another 70 liters (2.5 cubic feet) tucked into the frunk.

The dashboard layout will feel familiar to anyone who’s peeked inside a modern Chinese EVs. It’s anchored by a 12.8-inch free-standing infotainment screen and an 8.8-inch digital cluster mounted behind a chunky two-spoke steering wheel.

Dimensions That Go Head-to-Head

The Nano 06 measures 4,306 mm (169.5 inches) in length with a wheelbase of 2,715 mm (106.9 inches), making it just 6 mm longer than the Kia EV3 and giving it a slight edge with 35 mm more space between the axles. Despite its compact size, the Nano is being positioned as a family-oriented, adventure-friendly option, at least according to its lifestyle-heavy promotional shots.

More: Xiaomi’s First SUV Looks Like A Ferrari But It’s Priced Like A Tesla

Underpinning the Nano 06 is Dongfeng’s Quantum Architecture No. 3 platform. Power comes from a single electric motor producing 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque. Buyers get two battery sizes to choose from: 44.94 kWh and 51.87 kWh. Those deliver an optimistic CLTC-rated range of 401 km (249 miles) and 471 km (293 miles) respectively. Fast-charging is no afterthought either, with the Nano able to grab 100 km (62 miles) of range in just 5 minutes if plugged into the right charger.

Pricing Is the Real Plot Twist

But the real attention-getter here is the price. The Dongfeng Nano 06 is listed between ¥79,900 ($11,100) and ¥109,900 ($15,300) in China. That’s more than three times cheaper than the Kia EV3, which starts at €35,990 ($40,700) in Germany.

Of course, the two aren’t competing in the same market, at least not yet, and if Kia does bring the EV3 to China, past pricing trends suggest it would land much lower. For context, the larger EV5 starts at just ¥149,000 ($20,700) in China.

Also: VW ID.7 Launches In China At Nearly Half The Price It Costs In Germany

In China, the Dongfeng Nano 06 will go up against direct rivals like the BYD Yuan Up, the Wuling Bingo Plus, and the Baojun Yep Plus small SUVs.

Dongfeng

While Nissan might be in the midst of some serious turmoil, including factories closing and tens of thousands of layoffs, the company has somehow managed to pull off a small win in the form of a new EV that’s gaining traction. Unfortunately, it’s only available in China for now, but hopefully, Nissan can draw on this success when developing future global models that could help stabilize the company.

Last month, Nissan unveiled the N7, and it’s already looking like a fresh start. For one, it doesn’t look like anything else in their lineup, which is refreshing in itself. And while it still carries Nissan’s badge, the N7 is built on the Dongfeng 007 platform, a product of Nissan’s Chinese joint venture. It’s proven popular with local shoppers too. In the 18 days since its debut, over 10,000 orders have rolled in, showing that there’s plenty of interest in what Nissan has to offer.

Read: Nissan’s New Electric Sedan Is As Big As A Maxima, Cheap As A Versa

According to Nissan, approximately 30% of buyers already own a Nissan model, while the remaining 70% are new to the brand. The first 35 were delivered at a special event at Dongfeng Nissan’s New Energy Brand Experience Center in Shanghai.

Beyond looking fresh, the N7 is no doubt proving appealing because it’s very affordable. The entry-level model starts at 119,900 yuan or the equivalent of $16,500 at current exchange rates. This model has a 58 kWh battery pack, 215 hp, and a quoted driving range of 510 km (317 miles). Nissan also sells Pro and Max versions of the N7 with this same powertrain, priced at 129,900 yuan (~$17,800) and 139,900 yuan (~$19,200) respectively.

For buyers who want something with a bit more range, two models with a larger 73 kWh pack are also available, priced from 139,900 yuan (~$19,200) and 149,900 yuan (~$20,500). These N7 620 Pro and N7 620 Max versions have a 268 hp electric motor and a driving range of 625 km or 388 miles. It’s also worth noting that according to CarNewsChina, over 60% of orders have been for the higher-end Max versions.

As great as it sounds, the N7 is almost certainly destined to stay in China. If Nissan does decide to send it elsewhere, you can bet it won’t be coming to the US. But for now, at least Nissan has a small win on its hands, something they can hopefully build on, even if it never quite reaches global markets.