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The Korea Herald
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THE INVESTOR
March 29, 2024

Automobiles

[INTERVIEW] EV startup Saean to steal show with quirky 3-wheeler

  • PUBLISHED :July 07, 2017 - 15:51
  • UPDATED :July 07, 2017 - 15:58
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[THE INVESTOR] A little known Korean EV startup is out to take the world by storm with an electric three-wheeler. On June 27, Saean Motors unveiled WID-U, which has so far received 860 preorders. Delivery will begin in October. 

In terms of looks, the motorcycle-slash-minicar can look a bit off kelter, mainly because it has two wheels in the front and one in the back. But the beauty in this design is that it makes the bike safer than most motorcycles on the street, said Saean Motors founder John Lee in an interview with The Investor. 


WID-U scooter (left) and WID two-seater EV are displayed at the official launching event held in Seoul on June 27.



As for size, the WID-U is closer to a car than a scooter, and it comes with various specs that puts the pricetag at anywhere between 6 million won (US$5,188) and 8 million won. That’s not exactly cheap for an electric bike, but when the government subsidy kicks in -- 5 million won per vehicle -- the WID-U suddenly becomes much more attractive. 

Lee believes the scooter will pick up more steam as time passes, thanks to both changing demographics and Koreans’ love for the delivery of food.  “More people are choosing to live alone, and this means more people will want compact cars that are still as safe as the larger cars,” Lee said.  ”There‘s where we found our niche.” The CEO hopes to sell up to 3,000 electric motorbikes and microcars this year in Korea. 

The basic WID-U model offers a driving range of 100 kilometers on a single charge and moves at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour. Users can easily charge the removable 3.98 kilowatt-hour nano lithium polymer battery at home at standard electricity outlets. 

Betting on jumping sales, Saean is planning to build an assembly plant in the country. “It‘s going to be in either Gangwon, Jeolla or Gyeongsang Province. Hopefully, construction can begin next year.” Next year is also when the firm will see the launch of another scooter, this time a two-seater whose competition would be Twizy from Renault Samsung Motor. 


Saean Motors CEO and founder John Lee speaks during an interview in Seoul.  Park Hyun-koo/The Investor.



Once sales stabilize in Korea, Lee is hoping to go overseas. 

In Japan, Saean is looking for a joint venture partner. In the US, Saean plans to operate an independent corporation, complete with its own assembly plant, possibly in California. “We have a long way to go, but I am confident consumers will take to our vehicles once they try it out,” said Lee.

Lee’s unwavering confidence stems from an extensive EV career spanning more than 20 years. It dates back to 1995 when he first encountered EV as a master’s student studying automotive design and engineering at RMIT University in Australia. It was there where it first hit him that electric cars will shape the future of the industry.”

After receiving a doctorate degree from the University of New South Wales, he returned to Korea and took on research jobs at several automakers before establishing his own EV company, Leo Motors, in 2005. At the EV startup, he developed a 200 km-range EV in 2009 by installing an electric powertrain inside a regular vehicle. The company also clinched several deals to develop electric cars for big carmakers. 

The success, however, was short-lived. In 2011, Lee got into a car crash, causing him a severe injury that required more than six intense surgeries. Years of hospitalization forced him to leave the company that he had founded. Once he miraculously recovered, Lee established Saean Motors in 2013. 

More than delighted to have another chance at life, Lee is committed to good products that don’t compromise quality. “I think it’s important to make vehicles that are both safe and satisfactory,” he said. “If the product is good, people will want to buy it.”

Based on this philosophy, Lee hopes to sell 50,000 to 60,000 units a year within the coming five years.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)


The Investor Profile

Founded: November, 2013
Headquarters: Seoul
Description: Saean Motors develops, produces and manufactures electric vehicles. It mainly focuses on electric motorcycles and minicars, with three models in its current lineup, including WID-U scooter, WID mini car and ED-1 sports car.
Founder/CEO: John Lee
Funding: 1.02 billion won (US$885,958)
Website: http://www.saeanmotors.com

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