SAIC-GM-Wuling launches Rongguang vending microvan to uphold “stall economy”

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGWM), a joint venture among General Motors, SAIC Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Motors, launched on June 2 a new Rongguang microvan that can be converted into a mobile stall or booth to support the so-called “stall economy”.

The mind-boggling vehicle carries a square container at the back, which can be employed as a mobile stall once the pair of falcon-wing doors is unfolded. According to the company, the new Rongguang can easily come in and go out an underground parking garage thanks to its height of 2,268/2,295mm. With a capacity of 5,390/7,130L, the internal cargo space is square and flat, which is good for stacking goods.

Besides, the left, right and rear side doors can be lifted upward at 85 degrees to expand the sunshade or rain-proof area. By virtue of diversion grooves, rainwater can be swiftly drained. Equipped with hooks, the lower board can be placed flat to enlarge the area of counter.

The new model is be offered in two variants, both of which meet the China Ⅵ emission standards.

The launch of the new model came after local authorities in many regions of China, such as Changchun, Chnegdu and Hangzhou, eased the restrictions on setting up roadside booths or food stalls on streets.

To keep cities clean and tidy, vendors had been banned from running street stalls, but now their return is regarded as an effective approach to increase people's incomes and revitalize local economies bruised hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

The government will provide support for the street-stall and small-shop economy and inject new vitality into the Chinese economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said during an inspection tour to Yantai, Shandong province, on June 1.

Street stalls are a substantial income source for rural migrants living in cities. They usually provide consumers goods at affordable prices, and enrich late-night dining and shopping options for local residents.

From this year onward, roadside booths, street markets and mobile vendors will no longer be the assessment criteria for entitling a civilized city in China, the Office of the Central Spiritual Civilization Development Steering Commission said in late May (Wuling Rongguang vending van, photo source: Wuling Special Vehicle's WeChat account).