The Dongfeng Nammi EX1 is a pure electric A-segment SUV launched by Dongfeng Motor's Dongfeng Nammi brand (formerly Dongfeng EV New Energy). Positioned as a "people's premium electric mini SUV", it was engineered primarily for budget-conscious urban commuting. Serving as Dongfeng Nammi's core entry-level EV offering, the EX1 was active in the market between 2022 and 2023, with the facelifted PRO series launched in March 2023. However, amidst fierce market competition and brand resources pivoting towards newer models like the Nammi 01, the EX1 was gradually phased out from 2024 onwards. As of early 2026, it is virtually discontinued, with only limited 2023 clearance stock remaining at dealerships nationwide at prices starting from RM45,700.
The exterior styling of the Dongfeng Nammi EX1 blends conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) elements with clean EV design cues, delivering a safe and conventional aesthetic. Up front, it features a closed-off grille crowned by a bright chrome trim strip that spans across the halogen headlamp clusters on either side, which come equipped with height adjustment for both high and low beams. Down below, the segmented lower air intake pairs with black and silver plastic cladding to add depth and visual identity to the front end.
In profile, the side silhouette is sleek and uncluttered. The roof, window surrounds, wheel arches, side skirts, and door handles all feature blacked-out detailing, paired with five-spoke wheels for a touch of sportiness. The rear is neat and straightforward, highlighted by cute taillight clusters and a roof-edge rear spoiler above the rear windscreen. Gold chrome accents along the lower door panels add a subtle touch of refinement. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 3,732 mm long, 1,579 mm wide, and 1,515 mm tall, with a 2,423 mm wheelbase in a five-door, four-seater layout. Notably, the 1,579 mm width is somewhat narrow for its class, resulting in rather tight lateral shoulder room inside.
Inside, the cabin sports an all-black theme accented by contrasting red trim strips on the door panels and air-conditioning vents for a sportier vibe. The steering wheel is a basic three-spoke polyurethane unit without multifunction controls, offering an ordinary grip feel. The entire lineup omits a central infotainment touchscreen, relying solely on a monochrome multi-info display to relay vital driving data such as vehicle speed and battery charge. Physical rotary dials and push-buttons are retained for the air-conditioning system. The seats are upholstered in fabric (synthetic leather on selected trims), with the front row adopting integrated sports-style seats with firm padding that compromises long-distance seating comfort.
The Dongfeng Nammi EX1 is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout across the entire range. The electric motor produces a maximum output of 33 kW (approx. 45 PS) and a peak torque of 125 Nm, paired with a single-speed fixed-ratio reduction gear transmission. Official figures claim a 0-50 km/h acceleration time of 6 seconds, with a top speed of 100 km/h. Power delivery is tuned primarily for low-speed city driving, offering peppy pickup off the line up to 50 km/h, though power reserves taper off noticeably once cruising beyond 60 km/h.
On the battery front, the entire range utilizes a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack sourced from Gotion High-tech, boasting a capacity of 15.97 kWh and a CLTC-rated electric driving range of 201 km. Combined power consumption is rated at 9.3 kWh/100 km. For charging, it supports both DC fast charging and AC slow charging: a 30% to 80% DC fast charge takes 30 minutes (0.5 hours), while a 6.6 kW AC wallbox can fully charge the battery in 3 hours. The battery pack comes with an 8-year or 120,000 km warranty. Kerb weight ranges between 872 kg and 921 kg, with a fully laden minimum ground clearance of 150 mm.
Underneath, the Dongfeng Nammi EX1 rides on a front MacPherson strut independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension—a common setup in entry-level EVs that balances front ride compliance with rear passenger space packaging. Steering is handled by an electric power steering (EPS) system. Braking duties are managed by front ventilated discs and rear drums, paired with a traditional mechanical handbrake rather than an electronic parking brake (EPB). It rolls on 165/70 R14 tyres on steel wheels, with no spare wheel provided (tyre repair kit only). With a 23° approach angle, a 32° departure angle, and 150 mm ground clearance, it is well-equipped to tackle urban potholes, speed humps, and light unpaved surfaces.
Suspension tuning is on the softer side, prioritized for city comfort, and does well to absorb minor road chatter. However, the rear torsion beam setup produces noticeable rebound over speed humps or deeper ruts, and high-speed highway stability remains mediocre.
The Dongfeng Nammi EX1’s cabin tech is rudimentary, prioritizing straightforward practicality. Across the range, there is no central infotainment touchscreen, offering just a monochrome digital trip meter display for basic telemetry and speed. While some export or revised variants gained a small central display, functions remained restricted to basic navigation (on-board AutoNavi) and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, with modest UI responsiveness and basic graphics.
In terms of creature comforts, standard equipment includes manual air-conditioning, front power windows, and a passenger-side vanity mirror. The steering wheel is plain plastic without any audio controls. Both front seats feature four-way manual adjustment, while the single-piece folding rear bench allows boot capacity to expand from 300 litres up to 1,107 litres, showcasing decent practical versatility.
Convenience features include standard rear parking sensors, remote central locking, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. However, keyless entry, push-start ignition, cruise control, and a reverse camera are completely absent.
Passive safety: The Dongfeng Nammi EX1 comes equipped with dual front airbags (driver and front passenger) as standard across the range. Front side airbags and curtain airbags are not available. It also features a tyre pressure monitoring alert (TPMS) and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. The body shell utilizes a high-strength steel safety cage structure, though exact high-strength steel percentages have not been disclosed.
Active safety: Standard active safety kit is restricted to Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Crucially, it lacks Electronic Stability Control (ESC/ESP), Traction Control (TCS), and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA/BA). Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) are likewise missing. The rear brakes are drum units, which are more susceptible to brake fade under heavy load compared to all-round discs.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The EX1 does not feature any Level 2 ADAS capabilities. It settles for rear parking sensors only, omitting modern safety tech such as a reverse camera, cruise control, adaptive cruise control (ACC), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Overall active safety provisions are bare-bones, lagging noticeably behind newer 2024-2025 competitors in the same price segment.
Upon its 2023 debut, the Dongfeng Nammi EX1 garnered decent market interest thanks to its 5-door, 4-seat packaging, 201 km range, and highly accessible RM45,700 price tag. However, heading into 2024, the arrival of heavily equipped contenders like the BYD Seagull and Wuling Bingo aggressively squeezed its market share. By late 2024, monthly sales had dwindled to roughly 6 units, closing the full year with just 1,404 units sold. As of early 2026, the model is virtually off the market, with dealers only clearing remaining 2023 units at rock-bottom prices of RM45,700.
Industry Assessment: Industry observers attribute the EX1's commercial decline to several key factors:
Weak product competitiveness: A 201 km range is bottom-tier in the 2024-2026 entry-level market, where rivals easily deliver 300 to 400 km. Furthermore, the total absence of ESC/ESP and only dual front airbags make its safety package severely dated.
Lack of modern tech: The omission of an infotainment touchscreen, connected telematics, and OTA updates makes it unappealing to tech-savvy younger buyers.
Narrow body profile: A width of just 1,579 mm results in tight shoulder room, limiting rear seating comfort to two occupants and undermining practicality.
Limited brand equity: Dongfeng Nammi is a relatively young standalone brand, lacking the brand recall and market presence enjoyed by established giants like BYD and Wuling.
Owner Verdict: Early adopters appreciated the easy cabin ingress/egress afforded by the five-door layout, the convenience of DC fast charging, and the expandable 300-1,107-litre boot capacity. On the flip side, criticisms were heavily focused on: the absence of an ESC system affecting highway confidence, ubiquitous hard plastics lending a cheap interior feel, an upright rear seatback compromising passenger comfort, zero infotainment features, and a sparse after-sales service network.
In summary, the Dongfeng Nammi EX1 was an early entry-level electric effort by Dongfeng Motor. While reasonably competitive back in 2022, it was quickly outpaced by the rapid evolution of EV technology. For buyers browsing in 2026, it may still serve as an ultra-cheap, no-frills short-range daily runabout if snagged at heavy clearance discounts; however, for those seeking modern safety, cabin tech, and long-term residual value, mainstream segment leaders like the BYD Seagull and Wuling Bingo remain far superior choices.
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