The Lingbox COCO is the second all-electric microcar introduced by Lingbox Auto under Jiangsu Jimai New Energy, officially launched in April 2021. Aimed at the budget city commuter market and positioned below the Lingbox BOX, it was among the few pure EVs priced below RM30,000 at launch. The 2023 model year remains on sale today.
Classified as an A00-segment all-electric hatchback, the model comes from the Jimai New Energy stable. Key selling points include an ultra-affordable starting price of RM36,800, a practical 5-door, 4-seater layout, and a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup. The 2023 lineup is offered in two trims: the Hero Edition (RM36,800) and the Alliance Edition (RM39,800). Dimensions come in at 3,548 mm long, 1,536 mm wide, and 1,588 mm tall with a 2,300 mm wheelbase and a laden ground clearance of 125 mm. Its primary rivals include the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV and Changan Lumin.
Up front, the car sports an angular, elongated grille flanked by halogen headlights, creating a boxy and utilitarian aesthetic. Along the flanks, it features an upswept character line, factory roof rails, and a 5-door, 4-seater hatchback profile. The rear end is fitted with a roof spoiler and a third brake light, with the tail lamps bridged by a chrome garnish strip. It rides on 13-inch steel wheels wrapped in 155/70 R13 tyres as standard.
Inside, the cabin is finished in hard plastics, with the dashboard incorporating a generous storage compartment. Gear selection is operated via a traditional mechanical shift lever (rather than a rotary dial) positioned on the centre console. The Alliance Edition steps up to a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display supporting native smartphone connectivity and mirroring.
Powering the range is a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The 2023 model delivers a maximum output of 25 kW (34 PS) and 105 Nm of torque—a slight drop in power over older models, but compensated by an increase in torque. Utilizing an RWD configuration, it achieves a top speed of 101 km/h and completes the 0-50 km/h sprint in 8 seconds.
Battery duties are handled by an 11.52 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack sourced from REPT Shanghai, offering a CLTC-rated range of 140 km (up from the previous NEDC figure of 120 km). DC fast charging is not supported on any variant, while standard AC charging requires 6 to 7 hours. Rated energy consumption is around 9.8 kWh per 100 km, ensuring minimal running costs. First-hand owners are backed by an unlimited-mileage, lifetime battery warranty.
The chassis features front MacPherson struts and a rear trailing arm suspension paired with rear-wheel drive. Stopping power is provided by front discs and rear drum brakes, operated via a conventional mechanical handbrake.
On the equipment front, standard kit includes a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), selectable drive modes (Standard/Comfort and Sport), rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and hill-start assist. Even base variants support remote vehicle status monitoring via a dedicated mobile app. Crucially, airbags are completely absent across the range, and active safety systems such as electronic stability control (ESP) and brake assist are also missing entirely. The audio setup relies on just 2 speakers, while the air conditioning is a manual system.
At its initial launch, the Lingbox COCO started at just RM26,800, banking heavily on a strategy to undercut the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV. However, its market performance has been bleak—recording just 4 units sold in April 2026, with a 12-month cumulative total of only 34 units and just 15 units shifted over the last six months. In contrast, stablemates Lingbox BOX and Lingbox UNI posted monthly sales of 73 and 80 units respectively, leaving the COCO relegated to the sidelines.
In terms of product competitiveness, the COCO suffers from severe limitations: zero airbags, no fast-charging capability, and a modest 140 km range. At a starting price of RM36,800, it struggles to justify itself against rivals (the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV starts from RM32,800 with optional airbags, while the Changan Lumin features airbags as standard). Furthermore, Lingbox Auto contends with low brand recall and a limited dealer network, while the broader micro-EV segment sees consumers upgrading to larger A-segment models like the BYD Seagull and Wuling Bingo, further squeezing the COCO out of contention.
In summary, while the Lingbox COCO aims to attract buyers with its rock-bottom price tag, it is severely compromised by a critical lack of safety equipment. The total absence of airbags across the board is its biggest dealbreaker; combined with no DC fast charging, a short range, and weak brand standing, it represents poor value in the RM30,000 to RM40,000 bracket. Buyers in this market are far better advised to look at the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV or Changan Lumin with standard airbags, where real-world crash safety is significantly superior.
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