The History of Henrey Automobile (Henrey, Xiaohu Auto)

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The Rise of a Modern Chinese Electric Vehicle Manufacturer

Henrey Automobile is one of the newer companies to emerge from China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) industry. Unlike many established Chinese automakers that began by manufacturing gasoline-powered vehicles before transitioning to electrification, Henrey was founded specifically to develop battery-electric automobiles for urban transportation. Although it remains a relatively small manufacturer compared to giants such as BYD, Geely, or SAIC Motor, Henrey has established itself as a specialist in compact city EVs under both the Henrey and Xiaohu Auto brands.

The company’s story reflects the transformation of China’s automotive industry during the 2010s and 2020s, when government support, battery technology improvements, and urban transportation needs encouraged the creation of numerous EV startups. While Henrey has remained a niche producer, its vehicles have gained international attention through exports and rebadged versions sold in several overseas markets.

Company Overview

Company: Beijing Henrey Automobile Technology Co., Ltd. (Henrey Automobile)

Brand Names:

  • Henrey
  • Xiaohu Auto (Little Tiger)

Years of Operation:

  • Henrey Automobile: 2010–Present
  • Xiaohu Auto brand: 2020–Present (vehicle introduced for the 2021 model year)

Henrey remains an independent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Beijing. As of 2026, the company continues to operate and has not been acquired or merged into another automotive manufacturer.

Founding of Henrey Automobile

Henrey Automobile was founded in May 2010 in Beijing’s Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park.

The company was established to develop affordable battery-electric vehicles for densely populated cities. Rather than adapting existing gasoline-powered automobiles, Henrey designed electric platforms from the beginning.

The company’s chairman and legal representative is Bai Ruiping, an entrepreneur involved in China’s new-energy vehicle industry. Publicly available information indicates that Bai built the company around engineering and technology development, focusing on electric drivetrains, vehicle platforms, and battery systems. However, unlike many well-known automotive founders, relatively little verified biographical information has been published regarding his education or career before establishing Henrey. Most publicly available records identify him primarily as the company’s founder, chairman, and technology investor.

Early Development (2010–2020)

Henrey spent nearly a decade preparing its first production automobile.

Instead of rushing a vehicle into production, the company invested heavily in engineering its own:

  • vehicle chassis
  • body structure
  • suspension
  • electric drivetrain
  • battery integration
  • electronic control systems

The lengthy development period reflected one of Henrey’s largest early challenges.

Challenge: Long Product Development

Issue:
The company lacked an existing automotive platform and had to develop an entirely new electric vehicle architecture while competing against rapidly growing Chinese EV manufacturers.

Years:
2010–2020

Resolution:
Henrey focused on engineering rather than rapid expansion. After roughly ten years of research and testing, it introduced its first production vehicle under the Xiaohu Auto brand.

Manufacturing Operations

Henrey operates through several subsidiaries, including:

  • Henan Henrey Automobile Co., Ltd.
  • Yantai Henrey Automobile Co., Ltd.
  • Xuchang Herun Electromechanical Co., Ltd.

The company’s factories produce:

  • vehicle bodies
  • electric drivetrains
  • battery integration
  • final assembly

Production emphasizes compact city vehicles rather than large SUVs or luxury automobiles.

Henrey follows a relatively integrated manufacturing strategy by developing much of its vehicle platform internally instead of relying entirely on outside suppliers.

The Birth of Xiaohu Auto

After years of development, Henrey introduced the Xiaohu Auto (“Little Tiger”) brand.

The first production vehicle, the Xiaohu FEV (Family Electric Vehicle), debuted in 2020, with production beginning in late 2021.

Rather than creating multiple unrelated models immediately, Henrey focused on one flexible platform available in:

This strategy reduced manufacturing costs while providing several body configurations.

Vehicle Models

Henrey Brand

Henrey itself has primarily served as the corporate manufacturer rather than marketing numerous separate vehicle lines. Internationally, its vehicles have appeared under several names.

Examples include:

Xiaohu Auto

Major models include:

  • Xiaohu FEV (3-door)
  • Xiaohu FEV (5-door)

International rebadged versions include:

  • Mullen I-GO
  • Volt City EV
  • Rinco Aria
  • Lojo T300
  • Apatech Ohkuma

The Xiaohu FEV

The Xiaohu FEV became Henrey’s flagship vehicle.

It was designed primarily for:

  • urban commuting
  • ride sharing
  • delivery fleets
  • first-time EV buyers

Major specifications include:

  • rear-wheel drive
  • rear-mounted electric motor
  • approximately 46 horsepower
  • lithium-ion battery
  • compact hatchback body

Its simplicity helped reduce manufacturing costs while offering practical city transportation.

What Makes Henrey Different?

Henrey differs from many automotive manufacturers in several important ways.

1. Designed Only for EVs

Unlike many competitors, Henrey never built gasoline-powered automobiles.

Every major vehicle developed by the company has been battery electric.

2. Focus on Small Cars

Many EV companies compete in SUVs and luxury sedans.

Henrey instead concentrates on:

  • inexpensive city cars
  • neighborhood transportation
  • urban mobility

3. International Rebadging

Rather than building extensive overseas dealer networks, Henrey often partners with foreign companies that market its vehicles under different brand names.

This allows the company to enter international markets without creating entirely new sales organizations.

Major Milestones

2010

Henrey Automobile founded.

2012

Expansion through Henan manufacturing subsidiary.

2020

Xiaohu Auto brand introduced.

2021

Production begins for the Xiaohu FEV.

2022

Exports expand into several overseas markets.

2022

Vehicle licensed for sale under Mullen’s I-GO branding in Europe.

2023

Henrey Mincar EV introduced in Nepal.

Marketing Strategy

Henrey has generally avoided expensive global advertising campaigns.

Instead, its marketing has emphasized:

  • affordability
  • low operating costs
  • urban practicality
  • environmental friendliness
  • fleet applications

The company has also relied on international distributors to promote rebadged versions of its vehicles.

This strategy keeps marketing expenses relatively low while expanding global reach.

Major Challenges

Competition

China’s EV market is among the world’s most competitive.

Henrey competes against:

Its relatively small production volume makes competing on price difficult.

Brand Recognition

Outside China, Henrey remains largely unknown.

To address this, the company has permitted foreign distributors to rebadge its vehicles for local markets.

Limited Product Range

Unlike larger manufacturers offering dozens of models, Henrey currently produces only a small lineup centered around compact car city EVs.

The company has attempted to maximize sales through multiple regional branding partnerships rather than rapidly expanding its model range.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Henrey Automobile has not merged with another automotive manufacturer.

As of 2026:

  • it has not been bought by another company
  • it has not acquired another automaker
  • it remains an independent Chinese EV manufacturer.

Racing Programs

Henrey has not operated any known factory-backed racing programs.

Unlike manufacturers such as Porsche, Hyundai, or Toyota, the company has focused entirely on developing affordable commuter EVs rather than motorsports.

No participation is documented in:

  • Formula E
  • touring car racing
  • rallying
  • endurance racing
  • one-make racing series

Consumer Reception in the United States

Henrey vehicles have had very limited exposure in the United States.

Although Mullen Automotive announced plans to market the rebadged Mullen I-GO, the vehicle was intended primarily for certain overseas commercial markets rather than broad U.S. consumer retail sales. As a result:

  • Henrey has not established a nationwide U.S. dealer network.
  • U.S. consumer awareness remains very low.
  • No significant independent U.S. owner base has developed.

Because retail sales have been minimal to nonexistent, there are no meaningful U.S. consumer sales figures for Henrey-branded or Xiaohu-branded passenger vehicles.

Global Sales

Henrey has not publicly released comprehensive global sales totals comparable to those published by major automakers.

While the Xiaohu FEV has been exported to markets including Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Japan, and parts of Europe under various names, verified cumulative worldwide sales figures have not been disclosed publicly.

Most Successful Vehicle

The company’s most successful automobile is the Xiaohu FEV.

Reasons for its success include:

  • first mass-production vehicle
  • flexible three-door and five-door versions
  • affordable purchase price
  • compact dimensions ideal for crowded cities
  • export potential through rebadged international partnerships

The vehicle effectively established both the Xiaohu Auto brand and Henrey’s reputation as a manufacturer of practical urban electric transportation.

Awards and Accomplishments

Although Henrey has not received the level of international recognition enjoyed by larger manufacturers, the company has achieved several notable milestones:

  • Successfully engineered a proprietary electric vehicle platform after approximately a decade of development.
  • Established multiple manufacturing subsidiaries within China.
  • Expanded exports into several international markets.
  • Formed partnerships allowing its vehicles to be marketed under multiple foreign brands.
  • Built an integrated development program covering vehicle engineering, electric powertrains, and battery systems.

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of 2026, Henrey Automobile remains in business as an independent electric vehicle manufacturer. It continues to focus on compact battery-electric vehicles for urban transportation and maintains production of the Xiaohu FEV platform while pursuing export opportunities through regional partners.

The company’s future will depend on its ability to compete in an increasingly crowded EV market. China’s electric vehicle sector continues to consolidate, with larger manufacturers benefiting from economies of scale, broader product portfolios, and stronger global distribution networks. Henrey’s strategy of concentrating on inexpensive city cars and licensing or rebadging its vehicles for overseas distributors may allow it to remain viable in specialized market segments, but sustained growth will likely require continued product development, expanded international partnerships, and careful cost control.

In summary, Henrey Automobile represents a new generation of Chinese automakers that were conceived from the outset as electric vehicle manufacturers. Although it has not achieved the production volumes or global recognition of the industry’s largest companies, it has carved out a niche through compact, affordable EVs marketed under both the Henrey and Xiaohu Auto brands. Its decade-long engineering effort, independent operation, and focus on practical urban mobility distinguish it from many traditional automakers, making it a noteworthy participant in the continuing evolution of the global electric vehicle industry.

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