BAIC plans to launch a flex-fuel hybrid version of its X55 SUV in Brazil in 2028, according to Oswaldo Ramos, the automaker’s COO in the country. Testing of a flex-fuel system supplied by Bosch is already taking place in Brazil. The company has not announced where it will initially assemble vehicles or whether it will later move to a more complete local production process.
Ramos said BAIC sees flex capability as a practical fit for Brazil, where gasoline blends contain varying amounts of ethanol. The X55 is intended to run on either fuel: ethanol could help reduce urban running costs, while gasoline can be used to extend range on longer journeys. The company also expects ethanol compatibility to give the SUV fiscal and regulatory advantages comparable to those of rivals. BAIC’s Brazilian range has begun with the Arcfox T1, priced from R$129,990.
BAIC says its local products will need to reflect Brazilian preferences rather than rely on their Chinese origin alone. The company is also considering a pickup developed specifically for the market; Ramos said its current offer lacks a ready-made model suited to local use. The article suggests such a BAIC pickup could be smaller than the Foton Tunland, possibly with a unibody structure and a length of around five metres, but no vehicle or launch plan has been confirmed.