
The NETA V-II is the core all-electric B-segment SUV marketed internationally under Hozon New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.'s NETA brand, positioned as an entry-level EV catering to global young buyers and family car shoppers. As a cornerstone of NETA Auto's global expansion strategy, the NETA V-II is essentially the international iteration of the domestic NETA AYA (the facelifted model of the original NETA V series). Anchored by its brand philosophy of "Tech for All", NETA aims to democratise premium smart EV tech into mainstream price points. The NETA V-II embodies this vision, targeting key regional markets including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Middle East.
The export-spec NETA V-II made its official debut at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show in 2024 under the "Smart & Play" design concept, focusing on seamless synergy between smart tech and onboard entertainment. NETA Auto set up its first overseas manufacturing facility outside China in Thailand, which commenced operations in March 2024 to become its maiden production base abroad. In June of the same year, NETA Auto deepened its footprint via a partnership with Indonesian EV firm PT NETA Auto, rolling out locally assembled, right-hand-drive (RHD) NETA V-II models out of its West Java plant via complete knockdown (CKD) kits.
Styling-wise, the NETA V-II adopts a fresh, modern aesthetic, incorporating sharper exterior cues to boost its road presence. Compared to its predecessor, the 2024 facelift receives the most noticeable nip-and-tuck up front: the previously integrated front bumper makes way for a starlight-effect pin-matrix front grille underlined by a galaxy chrome garnish strip, flanked by vertical faux aero curtain vents on the outer edges. The side profile sports a two-tone colour scheme alongside newly designed low-drag alloy wheels. Round the back, a full-width LED light bar visually widens the rear stance. For the Indonesian market, NETA introduced exclusive exterior shades dubbed "Milk Tea" and "Baby Blue".
The cabin retains a clean, minimalist layout dominated by a portrait-oriented 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which serves as the visual centerpiece. To cater to left-hand-traffic regulations across Southeast Asia, units bound for markets like Indonesia and Malaysia are configured in right-hand drive (RHD).
In overseas markets, the NETA V-II is offered in a single front-motor, front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration driven by a single permanent magnet synchronous motor. The e-motor puts out a modest 70 kW (approx. 95 PS) and 150 Nm of torque, with a claimed top speed of around 101 km/h. Tuned specifically for daily urban commuting and short-distance intercity drives, the powertrain prioritises efficiency and smooth power delivery over outright performance.
Juicing the motor is a 36.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, good for an NEDC-rated range of up to 401 km on a full charge. DC fast charging gets the battery from 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in roughly 30 minutes. In addition, the NETA V-II features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse charging capabilities as standard with a maximum output of 3.3 kW.
Under the skin, the NETA V-II rides on a front-wheel-drive chassis suspended by front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam setup—a segment-standard arrangement engineered to balance cost efficiency and rear cabin packaging. Stopping power comes courtesy of solid discs on all four corners alongside an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). It rides on 185/55 R16 tyres. Tipping the scales at a kerb weight between 1,180 kg and 1,194 kg, the subcompact crossover boasts a tight turning radius of just 4.85 metres, making it exceptionally manoeuvrable in urban environments.
Cabin technology stands out as one of the NETA V-II’s headline USPs. The infotainment setup runs on a MediaTek MT8765 octa-core chipset mated to 8 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM; NETA claims a snappy 5-second cold boot, a voice command response latency of under 400 milliseconds, and standard task execution within 1.5 seconds. Aside from Apple CarPlay connectivity, the head unit comes pre-loaded with an in-car karaoke feature and navigation. The system also supports Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates, paired with a standard 4-speaker audio system. The cabin seats five passengers, with boot space rated at 335 litres, expandable to 588 litres with the rear bench folded flat. Other creature comforts include a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, and dual-zone air conditioning tailored for hot tropical climates.
On the active safety front, the NETA V-II is equipped with an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite. According to international market specifications, the package packs up to 9 ADAS features, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD). The ADAS suite is offered as an option in select regions. A reverse camera, Hill Descent Control (HDC), and a 360-degree surround-view monitor come standard.
Notably, in December 2024, ASEAN NCAP released a set of crash test results that made regional headlines: the preceding Neta V (sold across Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand) scored a zero-star crash safety rating. While the facelifted NETA V-II is reportedly re-engineered with structural and safety enhancements, ASEAN NCAP has yet to publish official crash test ratings specifically for the NETA V-II as of June 2026.
The most notable aspect of the NETA V-II’s global push has been the sheer speed of its regional rollout. Bolstered by joint ventures with local assemblers and fleet tie-ups with taxi operators across Indonesia and Thailand, the EV quickly gained traction in core ASEAN markets. In Indonesia, alongside retail sales, it secured sizable fleet orders from major commercial transport operators. In Malaysia, local CKD assembly is slated to kick off in the first quarter of 2025.
However, by 2026, the NETA V-II began facing severe operational headwinds in certain territories. In Thailand, where it originally launched at roughly 549,000 THB (approx. RM121,300), mounting brand pressures and inventory build-up triggered massive price slashes down to roughly 299,000 THB (approx. RM66,000). In the first four months of 2025, NETA registered just 1,067 units in Thailand, marking a sharp 37.3% year-on-year contraction. Concurrently, its Thai dealer network shrank dramatically from over 10 outlets to just 3, compounded by local reports of Thai insurance providers refusing policy coverage for NETA vehicles.
All in all, the NETA V-II offers solid value-for-money as an entry-level B-segment EV, boasting competitive real-world range, decent daily powertrain manners, and respectable cabin connectivity. Nonetheless, persistent brand solvency concerns and patchy aftersales support networks continue to test buyer confidence, underscoring the fierce competitive pressures and operational vulnerabilities facing second-tier Chinese EV startups abroad.