Geely-backed Lotus has officially launched the Eletre SUV in Canada, starting at C$119,900 — the first concrete pricing result of the trade deal Ottawa and Beijing struck in January.
When Canada dropped the 100% surtax on Chinese-made EVs — and replaced it with a 6.1% tariff under a quota of 49,000 vehicles per year — Lotus was the first manufacturer to publicly react.
In a press release issued one day after the agreement was signed, the company said the reduction would bring Eletre’s planned retail price down by approximately 50%, with wholesale deliveries projected to achieve “exponential growth.”
Before the deal, the only Eletre variant listed in Canada was the top-spec Carbon at C$313,500 — equivalent to $229,100.
The standard Eletre had originally been introduced at C$126,800 ($92,700) when orders opened in April 2024.
However, the 100% tariff imposed later that year made the model commercially unviable at lower trim levels.
The C$119,900 starting price confirmed on Thursday positions Lotus to compete more directly with established luxury EV brands in the Canadian market.
The Eletre SUV, manufactured at Geely‘s Wuhan plant, is built on an advanced 800V electrified architecture and reflects what the company described as its focus on “precision, control and driver engagement.”
In March, Lotus Americas chief Massimiliano Trantini said the Eletre had already completed Canadian homologation and that a launch event was planned “very soon,” with deliveries expected in the third quarter.
Lotus Confirms Canadian Entry
CEO Feng Qingfeng had said in January that Canada “has always been a strategically vital market” for Lotus, and that the company would “seize this opportunity to enhance investment in Canada to explore any potential tactical advantages and strengthen our footprint in the North American market.”
Feng said on Friday that the launch reflects growing demand from buyers seeking differentiation in the segment.
“We are seeing growing demand from customers who are looking for something more distinctive in this segment,” he noted, highlighting “products that combine performance with a clear sense of character.”
Lotus added that it will “continue to build its presence across key Canadian cities” as it develops the market.
The company currently operates six authorized dealerships in Canada and has a global retail network of 210 stores across 61 countries.
Other Brands Plans
The model’s arrival makes Lotus the first Chinese-built passenger EV brand to formally launch in Canada under the new trade framework.
While no China-headquartered automaker has entered the country with its own brand, Tesla, Volvo, and Polestar all manufacture vehicles in China and have existing regulatory approvals for the Canadian market.
BYD, Chery, and Geely have all targeted Canadian market entry by the end of 2026.
The first vehicles under Chery’s sub-brand Omoda & Jaecoo were spotted earlier this week in Toronto, signaling an imminent launch.
BYD has also revealed its intention to build a manufacturing facility in the country, though Executive VP Stella Li said it won’t be through a Government-promoted joint venture with local companies.
The company plans to open twenty dealerships in Canada.
North American EV Market
Lotus said on Friday that the Eletre’s Canadian introduction brings the brand “into the high-performance luxury SUV segment in North America,” which highlights ambitions to expand beyond Canada.
The entry of Chinese EVs into the US through Canada has been a concern for politicians and the auto industry in the neighboring country.
Earlier this month, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer highlighted the challenges Chinese EV makers would have in the country, reaffirming that the Biden-era regulations banning certain Chinese vehicle software and hardware are working as intended.
“Those rules are effective,” he stated, noting that restrictions would likely apply even for Chinese automakers that set up production in America.
Additionally, “it seems like it would probably be difficult for certain countries to establish new production here, given those sets of rules,” Greer said.
At the same time, the 100% tariff on Chinese EVs — originally quadrupled under Biden — remains in place alongside the administration’s own broader tariff measures.
Pressure has grown on both sides of the political system, as three Democratic senators recently urged President Donald Trump to block Chinese automakers from entering the US market entirely, whether through imports from other North American countries or by establishing domestic production.
Lotus Background
Lotus is part of Chinese billionaire Li Shufu’s Geely company, which also controls Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr.
Additionally, Lotus Tech is publicly listed on Nasdaq under the ticker LOT.
The Canadian launch was announced alongside a second product reveal at the Beijing Auto Show: the Eletre X Black & Gold Limited Edition.
The hybrid model is restricted to 78 units and marks the brand’s 78th anniversary.
It draws on Lotus‘ motorsport heritage and was developed through integrated engineering teams in the UK and China.
Lotus said both launches “support Lotus Tech’s broader development across premium electrified segments, extending the brand beyond its traditional sports car base while maintaining its core engineering identity.”
