Chinese startup Windrose, specialising in electric heavy goods vehicles, is reportedly poised to establish its European headquarters and an assembly plant in Belgium. This move, representing a potential investment of €300 million, signals the company's ambitious plans for the European market.
Ambitious Plans, Rapid Growth
Despite being founded only two years ago, Windrose aims to challenge established players like Tesla and Daimler in the developing electric truck sector. The company's founder, Wen Han, cites "the Chinese supply chain and Chinese R&D" as key advantages, promising trucks with a 600+ kilometer range and competitive pricing compared to the Tesla Semi.
While discussions for the Belgian facility are still ongoing, Windrose is also considering additional sites in Belgium or France for a chassis factory, potentially involving a significantly larger investment. The company has attracted high-profile investors like HSBC and early interest from potential clients including Decathlon, Kerry, and Rokin.
Diversification and Innovation
Alongside its core electric truck offering, Windrose is simultaneously developing lighter vehicles, a hydrogen-powered truck model, and autonomous driving capabilities. The company aims to begin delivering its first trucks in Europe by the end of 2024.
