This tiny $4,500 EV with just 27 horsepower is crushing the Tesla Model 3 in China

A tiny bargain-bin electric car is crushing the Tesla Model 3 in one of the US carmaker’s most crucial markets.

In April, the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV was China’s most popular EV, selling 26,592 units, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

Elon Musk’s automaker came in second, moving 6,264 Model 3 sedans in China over the same period.

The Mini EV was launched in July through a joint venture between GM and two Chinese companies: Wuling and SAIC.

The model starts at the equivalent of around $4,500, but a fully-loaded version will run you $6,000.

The tiny hatchback is just under 115 inches long and roughly 59 inches wide.

For reference, a Fiat 500 is around 140 inches long. The Mini EV is closer to the size of a Smart ForTwo.

It has around 26 cubic feet of cargo space, roughly the same as a Fiat 500. Wuling says it can fit a stroller or two small suitcases.

That’s with the rear seats folded down. Yes – believe it or not, the Mini EV does have room for four passengers.

The Hong Guang Mini EV can only go around 105 miles on a charge, but it’s meant more for urban driving than long road trips.

It makes a claimed 27 horsepower and has a top speed of 62 mph.

The Hong Guang Mini EV, of course, isn’t in the same league as Tesla’s premium electric sedans and SUVs.

The Model 3 delivers almost 300 miles of range in its base configuration.

The Tesla also costs almost 10 times more than the Hong Guang Mini EV, retailing for right around $39,000 in China at current exchange rates.

Tesla hasn’t indicated it has any plans to go after China’s budget-EV market, but it is developing a $25,000 EV at its Shanghai plant.