Geely offshoot unveils sub $40,000 electric ute for right hand drive markets

In 2022, Geely Group, the owner of Volvo cars and Polestar, unveiled a new brand offering electric utes. It named its first ute the Radar RD6, with a price tag of under $A40,000.

Just over 18 months later, the company has announced that this ute is ready to be released in international right-hand-drive markets outside of China. Geely Group shared this news on multiple social media platforms including X.

The company said in its post: “Exciting news! Get ready for the release of an RHD electric pick-up truck, available in your market soon!”.

In China, the RD6 is offered in 4 variants, which start at the equivalent of $A36,890 for the entry-level model. That’s cheaper than many ICE dual-cab utes available in the Australian market and comes with a 63 kWh battery pack, although it’s not clear they would ever be offered at this price in Australia.

The next variant in the lineup has a bigger 100 kWh battery pack that offers a bigger range and is priced at the equivalent of $A41,010. 

There is also a premium version of this variant which is priced at the equivalent of $A48,070. The top-of-the-range RD6 is offered with the biggest battery and comes in at the equivalent of $A55,480 in its local market.

Along with the news of its launch in right-hand-drvie markets, four pictures of the RD6 ute were shared highlighting the right-hand-drive steering wheel and what the new configuration is expected to look like.

These interior shots show a minimalistic interior with leather seats that appear to have ventilation. The steering wheel seems fairly standard with a screen to show key driving information sitting right behind it.

There is a gear selector located on the centre console with control buttons and a rotary dial below it. 

In the centre of the dashboard, there is a large landscape screen for infotainment and navigation. Underneath the screen are the air conditioning vents which is pretty typical of most vehicles in the market.

The tray on the ute is of decent size with power points in the rear too for charging power tool batteries and other devices while on site.

Although this model falls under Geely Group’s Radar brand, it’s expected to be under the “Ridara” brand in right-hand-drive markets.

This is an exciting announcement but it’s unclear where the first right-hand-drive market to receive this electric ute would be. 

We will keep a close eye on it given Australia’s affinity with utes and many fleets across the country awaiting the launch of compelling zero-emission vehicles in this very popular segment.

Video review of the Radar RD6 by our friends at The Fully Charged Show