A young Cuban identified as @maxxialvv became the center of attention on social media this Thursday after posting a video on TikTok in which she shows the purchase of her first car in Cuba: a Bestune Pony, a 100% electric vehicle manufactured in China, in pearlescent purple.
"Join me for an unboxing of the biggest purchase I've ever made and the one that excites and delights me the most," says the young woman at the start of the clip, which lasts three minutes and six seconds, as she enthusiastically explores every detail of the vehicle.
The car, manufactured by the Chinese company FAW Bestune, features an interior in shades of caramel and beige, air conditioning, a screen with Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and two driving modes: economy and sport. The owner noted that the trunk is small, although she demonstrated how it can be enlarged by folding down the rear seats to gain space.
"I'm extremely happy and very grateful to finally have my own transportation," she expressed, although she clarified that she still can't drive on public roads: "I'm still missing the license, but I'll be ready very soon."
The Bestune Pony —also known as Bestune Xiaoma— is one of the most affordable electric models from China available on the island. It is marketed through MCV Comercial S.A., which has made it available for contracting since June 1, with an estimated delivery time of 60 working days. Its price in Cuba is not officially set, but market references place it between 9,500 and 13,500 dollars, significantly higher than the 4,800 to 7,000 dollars it costs in China.
Acquiring a personal vehicle in Cuba remains an extraordinary feat. The average monthly salary on the island is around 4,000 Cuban pesos, equivalent to less than 20 dollars on the informal exchange, making the purchase of a new car unattainable for the vast majority of the population. Only those who receive remittances from abroad or have income in foreign currencies can afford such a purchase.
In this context, the purchase of Chinese electric cars in Cuba has gained traction since the regime began promoting it with preferential tariffs: 10% for electric vehicles compared to the 30% applied to internal combustion vehicles. In February of this year, the government temporarily suspended new shipments of combustion vehicles due to the fuel crisis, which further reinforces the shift towards electromobility.
Other Cubans have had similar moments on social media. A Cuban showed off his car valued at $20,000 at the beginning of the year, and in February another Cuban celebrated the purchase of her first car in a video that also generated significant attention.
"When you see a purple car, run away, it's me," joked @maxxialvv at the end of his video, which had garnered over 2,400 views and 131 likes since its posting.
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