BAIC debuts in Brazil with the Arcfox T1 and T5 electric cars at the Interlagos Festival

BAIC, another Chinese automaker, will present the Arcfox T1 and Arcfox T5 electric cars to the Brazilian public at the Interlagos Festival 2026, between August 27 and 30, at the José Carlos Pace Racetrack, in São Paulo. It is the official debut of China’s fifth largest automaker in the country, but still without prices, versions or sales start date — the two models will be on static display.

Founded in 1958, BAIC — an acronym for Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. — sold 1.75 million vehicles worldwide in 2025, of which 308 thousand were exported. Arcfox is the group’s electric sub-brand and will be the spearhead of the Brazilian operation, which arrives in the second wave of Chinese landings in the country.

According to Autoesporte, the manufacturer expected to start activities in the second half of 2026, with the first stores in João Pessoa (PB), Recife (PE) and Natal (RN). Under the command of Oswaldo Ramos, director of operations at BAIC International in Brazil, the company sets up its own network of dealerships, a local executive team and an after-sales structure, in addition to engineering calibration work to adapt suspension and driving assistants to Brazilian roads. The details of the network should be announced during the event.

Arcfox T1 targets the BYD Dolphin

The highest volume model should be the T1. The electric hatch is 4.33 m long and has a wheelbase of 2.77 m, which makes it about 21 cm longer than a BYD Dolphin, with 7 cm more between the axles. The trunk takes 459 liters.

In China, the T1 is sold with a 95 hp front engine and 17,9 kgfm, associated with a lithium iron phosphate battery of about 42 kWh, with a range of up to 425 km by the CLTC cycle — a much more optimistic Chinese standard than the Brazilian one. There is also a 127 hp configuration in the original market. The equipment list includes an 8.8″ digital panel, a 15.6″ multimedia center, a panoramic roof, a 540º vision camera and level 2 semi-autonomous driving, with 12 assistance features.

T5 is a larger SUV than the Yuan Plus

One step above, the Arcfox T5 measures 4.69 m long, 1.93 m wide, 1.65 m high and 2.84 m wheelbase, dimensions that put it ahead of rivals such as the BYD Yuan Plus and the GAC Aion V. In China, it uses a 252 hp and 36.7 kgfm electric motor, with a 65 kWh battery supplied by CATL and a declared range of 560 km in the CLTC cycle.

The two electric cars are just the beginning. The brand plans to expand the range in the coming years, with models from different segments and mechanical assemblies, and is already studying the assembly of vehicles in Brazil, with gradual nationalization of components – a path similar to that of other Chinese companies that have established themselves here. The pace will depend on the definition of versions, the import strategy and the consolidation of the network.