The Kaiyi Shiyue is an all-electric micro city runabout developed by Kaiyi Auto on its all-new i-EA dedicated EV platform. Serving as Kaiyi's first strategic offering in the new energy micro-car segment, the Shiyue is engineered to meet the personalised mobility needs of young drivers and modern families for daily urban commutes and suburban getaways. Boasting a segment-defying value proposition of being "fully loaded from the base model", it stands as a cornerstone in the brand's electrification push and product rejuvenation strategy.
Positioned as an A00/A0-segment electric city car, the Kaiyi Shiyue breaks away from the utilitarian shortcomings typical of traditional micro cars through thorough space optimisation and thoughtful equipment packaging.
Market positioning: All-electric micro car, exceptional value-for-money, segment-transcending runabout, trendy urban commuter.
Design profile: Measuring 3,720 mm in length, 1,700 mm in width, and 1,608 mm in height with a 2,520 mm wheelbase, the vehicle embodies a "Cool and Dynamic Aesthetics" design philosophy. Up front, it features distinctive bionic eagle-eye headlamps that give it a clean, recognisable fascia. Inside, the wraparound cockpit features extensive soft-touch upholstery and a versatile centre console, imparting a noticeably premium feel for its segment.
Key highlights: Its core appeal lies in offering a segment-rare 310 km driving range, robust structural crash safety, and generous smart features (such as a 360-degree camera system and mobile app remote telematics) at an accessible price tag of under RM50,000, setting a benchmark for high-value commuter EVs.
Origin: Amid growing consumer demand for greater cabin room and longer driving range in the micro EV segment, Kaiyi Auto leveraged the advanced manufacturing capabilities of its Yibin Smart Factory to develop the i-EA pure electric platform, launching the Shiyue as its pioneer model to fill the brand's presence in the electric runabout market.
Key milestones:
Debut and market rollout (2023–2024): The Kaiyi Shiyue was initially launched with a keen focus on value-for-money, quickly securing market traction with two range options: 201 km and 301 km.
Upgraded variant launch (2026): In April 2026, the Kaiyi Shiyue MAX variant made its official debut. This version received extensive upgrades across driving range, connectivity, and standard kit. Incorporating CATL battery technology alongside an optimised electric drive system, its driving range was bumped up to 310 km, cementing its position as the brand's primary volume seller.
2026 status: As of 2026, the Kaiyi Shiyue lineup has evolved into a well-rounded model range, commanding strong price competitiveness in the RM40,000 to RM50,000 bracket while serving as a key export model in Kaiyi Auto's global strategy.
Competitive landscape: The Shiyue goes head-to-head with micro electric hatchbacks in its class. Its core competitive edges lie in its wider body dimensions—affording superior lateral shoulder room—and an aggressive price point. In the 2026 automotive market, its "fully loaded from the base model" approach creates a decisive equipment advantage over similarly priced entry-level passenger cars.
Owner feedback: Owners consistently praise its smart packaging, particularly the expandable boot capacity and flat rear floor layout, making it an ideal choice for young parents and daily commuters. Furthermore, the infotainment system's seamless smartphone mirroring and remote connectivity features fit effortlessly into the digital lifestyle of modern drivers.
i-EA EV platform: Built on this bespoke platform, the Shiyue features enhanced powertrain integration with a front-mounted motor layout, while its lightweight structural design delivers lower power consumption per 100 km.
EV powertrain performance: Powered by a high-energy-density lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL with IP68 dust- and water-ingress protection. The MAX variant supports 31 kW DC fast charging, juicing the battery from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes, effectively eliminating range anxiety for daily city driving.
Safety architecture: Built around a high-rigidity cage safety cell, the chassis employs front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam suspension. This setup ensures agile urban handling while elevating passive safety through standard dual front airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring alert system.
Cockpit interaction: A 10.25-inch colour central touchscreen comes standard across the entire range, supporting multiple smartphone connectivity protocols and intelligent voice commands, alongside a dedicated companion app for remote vehicle control, car locator, and status diagnostics.
As of 2026, Kaiyi Shiyue's product roadmap is focused on the following pillars:
Lifestyle accessories expansion: Plans are underway to offer lifestyle-oriented optional accessories, including camping vehicle-to-load (V2L) power kits and bespoke modular storage solutions, further refining its versatile mobility concept.
Smart cockpit upgrades: Upcoming updates will see continued optimisation of the onboard processor and the introduction of a broader native app ecosystem, further enhancing the car's tech capabilities.
Global market expansion: Leveraging Kaiyi's established distribution network spanning more than 50 export countries, the brand will accelerate the development of right-hand drive (RHD) versions and region-compliant variants, aiming to steadily expand its market footprint across Southeast Asia and Latin America.
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