Bordrin Motors

Bordrin Motors was a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer founded in 2016 by Dr. Huang Ximing, a former Ford engineer. Headquartered in Nanjing, the company aimed to compete in the burgeoning EV market with a strong emphasis on in-house technical development. Huang, who holds a doctorate from Virginia Institute of Technology, brought extensive automotive experience to the venture, having also founded Cotech Automotive Engineering Corp. and AVT, both automotive development service providers. The core leadership team also included other seasoned professionals from the auto industry.

The company's strategy involved developing its own electric vehicle platforms (i-SP, i-MP, and i-LP) and handling most functions like styling, powertrain, and electronics internally. Bordrin established a global R&D presence with centers in Detroit, Shanghai, Beijing, and Nanjing. Its business model initially relied on contract manufacturing through a joint venture with Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co., which gave Bordrin access to established production capacity while it was building its own factory in Nanjing. This joint venture, majority-owned by Bordrin, was intended to produce, develop, and sell vehicles, parts, and various EV components.

Bordrin unveiled two main products, the iV6 and iV7 SUVs, in 2019. The iV6, a mid-sized crossover targeting middle-class families, featured a range of up to 610 km (NEDC), a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and L2+ autonomous driving capabilities. It was offered in both two-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions. The larger iV7 SUV was designed with 5 or 6-seat configurations, a claimed range of up to 700 km (NEDC), and an all-wheel-drive, dual-motor system. Despite these ambitious plans and showing initial promise by opening pre-sales for the iV6, Bordrin faced significant financial headwinds. The economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the company's finances, leading to a collapse in sales. Consequently, Bordrin Motors filed for bankruptcy and underwent liquidation in 2021, ceasing all operations.

Keywords: electric vehicles, automotive manufacturing, EV platforms, joint venture, Chinese auto industry, SUV, autonomous driving, contract manufacturing, defunct, powertrain development