Singulato
A Chinese new-energy vehicle brand that developed electric-car concepts and the iS6 SUV before entering bankruptcy proceedings.
Last updated October 12, 2026
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Overview
Singulato was a Chinese new-energy vehicle venture established in Beijing in December 2014 by entrepreneur Shen Haiyin through Zhiche Youxing Technology. The brand was created during the rapid expansion of China's electric-vehicle start-up sector, when new entrants sought to challenge established automakers with connected vehicles, software-defined functions, autonomous-driving research, and direct-to-consumer technology positioning. Singulato described itself as an internet-oriented automotive company rather than only a conventional vehicle manufacturer. Its stated areas of interest included battery-electric vehicles, autonomous driving, automotive networking, big-data applications, and cloud-computing services. The company's first publicly presented vehicle was the Singulato iS6, a mid-size electric sport-utility vehicle introduced in April 2016. Singulato positioned the iS6 as a relatively premium Chinese electric vehicle, with a reported target price range of approximately 200,000 to 300,000 yuan. The company discussed small-batch production toward the end of 2017 and announced mass-production plans in 2018, but the vehicle did not achieve the durable commercial production scale that the company had projected. In October 2016, Anhui Singulato Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. was established with participation by Zhiche Youxing Technology (Shanghai) and Jiangren Automotive Technology (Beijing), providing a corporate vehicle for the manufacturing project in Anhui. Singulato continued to broaden its product narrative through a series of proposed models. In February 2018, it said that it intended to develop six electric vehicles for the Chinese market. At the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, it presented the iS6 in a more formal production-oriented context and displayed the iM8 concept, an electric autonomous-oriented multipurpose vehicle. It also showed the iC3 study, a small two-seat electric city car whose exterior design was based on the Toyota iQ. These vehicles illustrated an intended portfolio spanning SUVs, multipurpose vehicles, and compact urban transportation rather than a single-model strategy. Despite substantial financing claims and repeated production plans, Singulato struggled to convert development activity into regular vehicle manufacturing. Production targets associated with the iS6 were not achieved in the expected periods, and the company became associated with the difficulties faced by many Chinese electric-vehicle start-ups that lacked established manufacturing capacity and dependable cash flow. Reports and commentary questioned whether Singulato could build vehicles at scale and noted that the business had sought software-related revenue while facing financial distress. The company was also reported to have accumulated financing of roughly 17 billion yuan, although the available reference material does not establish this figure as audited revenue, valuation, or a complete balance-sheet measure. Operational problems became more visible in the early 2020s. In 2022, employees were reported to have demanded payment of overdue wages. On June 26, 2023, the Intermediate People's Court of Tongling, Anhui, accepted a bankruptcy-and-liquidation case involving Anhui Singulato Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. On June 30, the court appointed Tongling Jinjian Accounting Firm as administrator. The company subsequently entered bankruptcy proceedings in July 2023. Singulato therefore represents a notable example of a Chinese electric-vehicle start-up whose concepts, software ambitions, and production announcements did not develop into a sustainable mass-market automotive business.
History
Singulato emerged in Beijing in December 2014 as a new-energy vehicle venture established by Zhiche Youxing Technology and managed by entrepreneur Shen Haiyin. Its formation coincided with a period in which Chinese technology companies and automotive start-ups were pursuing electric vehicles, connected-car platforms, cloud services, and autonomous-driving systems. Singulato presented itself as an internet-oriented automotive company, with ambitions extending beyond vehicle assembly to software, data, and intelligent mobility services. In April 2016, the company introduced the iS6, a mid-size electric SUV and its first prominently announced vehicle. The model was intended to occupy a premium segment of China's emerging electric-vehicle market and was reported to carry a planned price range of 200,000 to 300,000 yuan. To support manufacturing ambitions, Anhui Singulato Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. was established in October 2016, jointly held by Zhiche Youxing Technology (Shanghai) and Jiangren Automotive Technology (Beijing). Singulato discussed small-batch production by the end of 2017 and mass production from 2018 onward. The company expanded its proposed portfolio in 2018. In February, it announced plans for six electric models for China. At the Beijing Auto Show, it presented the iS6 in a production-oriented setting and showed the iM8, an electric multipurpose-vehicle concept intended to communicate its ideas about future autonomous mobility. Singulato also exhibited the iC3, a small two-seat electric city-car study based visually on the Toyota iQ. The concepts suggested that the brand sought to cover several vehicle categories while differentiating itself through connectivity and intelligent-driving features. Singulato's development plans ultimately failed to produce the anticipated regular production program. The iS6 did not enter sustained commercial manufacturing in the periods originally discussed, including the later target years cited in company plans. Like several Chinese electric-vehicle start-ups, Singulato faced the difficult combination of high research and development expenses, manufacturing requirements, supply-chain dependence, and the need to build customer and service networks. Reference material also describes claims that Singulato had obtained or raised financing equivalent to approximately 2.4 billion US dollars in 2018 and had accumulated financing of about 17 billion yuan. These figures are retained as reported financing references rather than treated as audited financial statements. As production progress remained limited, questions arose about the company's ability to manufacture vehicles and its reliance on software or other activities to support operations. In 2022, employees were reported to have demanded unpaid wages, indicating worsening liquidity and operational conditions. On June 26, 2023, the Intermediate People's Court of Tongling City in Anhui Province accepted a bankruptcy-and-liquidation case concerning Anhui Singulato Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. On June 30, the court appointed Tongling Jinjian Accounting Firm as the administrator. The operating entity filed for bankruptcy in July 2023. Singulato is consequently treated as defunct, with its principal historical significance lying in its ambitious electric-vehicle and intelligent-mobility program rather than in a sustained commercial product lineup.
- 2023
Bankruptcy proceedings begin
[1]A Tongling court accepted a bankruptcy-and-liquidation case in June, appointed an administrator, and the company filed for bankruptcy in July.
- 2018
Six-model development plan is announced
[1]Singulato announced an intention to develop six electric vehicles for the Chinese market.
- 2018
iM8 and iC3 concepts are shown
[1]The company displayed the iM8 electric MPV concept and iC3 small electric-car study alongside the iS6 at the Beijing Auto Show.
- 2016
The iS6 is introduced
[1]Singulato unveiled the iS6, a mid-size electric SUV intended to become its first major vehicle.
- 2016
Anhui manufacturing subsidiary is established
[1]Anhui Singulato Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. was established through the participation of Zhiche Youxing Technology and Jiangren Automotive Technology.
- 2014
Singulato is founded in Beijing
[1]Zhiche Youxing Technology established Singulato Motors in Beijing in December as a technology-oriented Chinese new-energy vehicle venture.
Products and positioning
A premium, technology-led Chinese electric-vehicle brand focused on connected mobility, autonomous-driving development, and software-enabled vehicles.
Electric mid-size crossover SUV · 2016
Singulato iS6
The iS6 was Singulato's first major announced vehicle and the center of its production ambitions. It was presented as a mid-size battery-electric SUV for China's premium new-energy market, with a reported planned price range of 200,000 to 300,000 yuan. Singulato discussed small-batch and mass-production schedules, but the model did not achieve the sustained commercial production originally planned.
Electric MPV concept · 2018
Singulato iM8
The iM8 was a concept vehicle presented as an electric multipurpose vehicle illustrating Singulato's ideas about future autonomous and connected mobility. It was used to broaden the brand's proposed portfolio beyond the iS6 and to demonstrate its interest in intelligent-vehicle systems. The iM8 remained a concept rather than a documented mass-market production model.
Small electric city-car concept · 2018
Singulato iC3
The iC3 was a compact two-seat electric-car study shown by Singulato in 2018. Its exterior design was based on the Toyota iQ, and the vehicle represented a proposed urban-mobility product distinct from the larger iS6 and iM8. Available reference material identifies it as a study or concept and does not document regular production.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2023
Anhui operating entity enters bankruptcy liquidationOtherBackground
Delayed vehicle production, financial pressure, and reported employee wage disputes preceded formal insolvency proceedings involving the Anhui operating company.
Action taken
The Intermediate People's Court of Tongling accepted a bankruptcy-and-liquidation case on June 26, appointed Tongling Jinjian Accounting Firm as administrator on June 30, and the company filed for bankruptcy in July.
Aftermath
Singulato is treated as a defunct vehicle brand, and no continuing mass-market product operation is documented in the supplied material.
2018
Singulato adopts a multi-model electric-vehicle strategyStrategyBackground
After introducing the iS6, Singulato sought to present itself as a broad intelligent-mobility company rather than a single-model start-up. It announced plans for six electric vehicles covering multiple segments of China's domestic market.
Action taken
The company publicized a six-model development plan and continued to display vehicles spanning an SUV, an MPV concept, and a small city-car study.
Aftermath
The planned portfolio did not translate into a sustained production range. The iS6 did not reach the expected mass-production scale, while the iM8 and iC3 remained concepts.
Recent events
- 2023
Court accepts bankruptcy and liquidation case involving Anhui Singulato[1]
Bankruptcy
The Intermediate People's Court of Tongling accepted a bankruptcy-and-liquidation case involving Anhui Singulato Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd., and later appointed an administrator.
- 2023
Singulato enters bankruptcy proceedings[1]
Bankruptcy
Singulato's operating vehicle filed for bankruptcy in July after years of delayed production and financial difficulties.
- 2022
Singulato faces employee wage-payment complaints[1]
Other
Employees were reported to have sought payment of overdue wages as the company experienced increasing operational and financial pressure.
- 2018
Singulato announces a six-model electric-vehicle plan[1]
Other
The company said it planned to develop six electric vehicles for the Chinese domestic market over the following years.
- 2018
Singulato presents the iS6, iM8 concept, and iC3 study[1]
Product launch
At the Beijing Auto Show, Singulato promoted the iS6 and displayed the iM8 autonomous-oriented electric MPV concept and iC3 compact electric-car study.
- 2016
Singulato unveils the iS6 electric SUV[1]
Product launch
Singulato introduced the iS6, a mid-size battery-electric SUV intended to serve as its first major vehicle product.
Sources3 sources
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