Forty Jamaica drivers, two days, eight Dongfeng sample units. The first focus-group weekend ran clean and the verdicts came in stronger than we expected.
How we ran it
Each driver took two scheduled test drives across the weekend — one ICE, one EV or PHEV — on a fixed loop that included a hill section, a city stop-and-go segment, and a stretch of dual carriageway. After each drive, the panel filled out a structured score sheet covering ride quality, cabin noise, charging or fuel reality, dealer-perceived value, and the always-honest "would you actually buy this?" question.
We did not lead the panel. We did not show them spec sheets in advance. We wanted the cars to speak first, the brochures second.
What the drivers said
The eπ007 EV came out as the surprise winner of the weekend — every panel member who drove it had the same reaction in the comments: this feels significantly more expensive than its sticker. The Sky 01 PHEV took second place on commute-friendliness, and the Rich 6 pickup was the runaway favourite for buyers cross-shopping the Hilux at the lower trim.
On the other end, the panel pushed back on two trims of the Huge SUV — they wanted lighter steering at low speed and a different infotainment colourway. Both items are now on the spec sheet for the Q3 production order.
What happens with the feedback
Every score sheet is consolidated into a single panel report, which goes back up the chain to the Dongfeng Latin America programme team. The trims, colours, and option packages that move to full import are the ones the panel signed off on. That is the deal.
If you missed this round, the next focus group window opens after the Q3 production units arrive. Sign-up for that round is already open on the focus group page.
