Published by Ash October 31st, 2007
in Nanjing MG.
Click the above for a bigger picture!
After letting the world think that Nanjing MG just boxed up the British Longbridge factory and shipping it around the world to make old cars for a new market, it seems Nanjing MG have surprised the automotive world again by showing off a concept car that is very likely to be put into production in the near future.
From Austin-Rover.co.uk:
Car Design News has recently reported on the 2007 China Automotive Design Conference, which was the first occasion on which Designers from many of the nascent Chinese OEMs had met to discuss the need for ‘independent innovation’ in Chinese automotive styling.
The China Automotive Design Conference was held in Nanjing, Jiangsu at the end of August and was attended by 140 design professionals from the likes of Dongfeng Motor, First Auto Works (FAW), SAIC Motor, Brilliance, Chang’an, Chery, Geely and Nanjing Automobile (NAC).
NAC’s Design Director, Li-Chih Fu, was one of several Designers to speak at the conference and, during his presentation; he revealed a full-size hatchback concept, which was, reportedly, inspired by the city of Nanjing’s symbolic ‘Pi Xie’ statue. Car Design News commented that Li-Chih Fu’s concept ‘demonstrated an interesting way of blending negative surfaces with stylistic curved edges to create a balance between Chinese decoration and modern solidity.’
Car Design News’ report gives no indication about whether the ‘Pi Xie Concept’ might be intended for production and, if so, whether any production version might have an MG badge. However, AR’s Editorial Team reckon that this concept does, at least, demonstrate that NAC appear to be developing products to succeed the MG-Rover-derived models currently being readied for production.
Published by Ash October 31st, 2007
in Chinese Car News.
Know anybody who has 1.2 million RMB to blow on one of the worst atrocities on the road?
The Escalade went on sale earlier last year and has sold 350 units since then, not a great deal, but at 1.2 million RMB a pop, not many can afford the oversized SUV that gets you no where fast, and burns up all your cash in gasoline money.
Published by Ash October 31st, 2007
in Chinese Car News.
Can the Smart car come to China ten years too late and make a success of itself? Thats the question China Car Times is currently asking. Rumors have been floating around for ages that the Smart car range will turn up in China via the Beijing Benz JV, now the rumor has changed into a SouEast-Benz JV deal that could see the little cars being made in China, and then exported to surrounding Asian countries. However, this plan may not come into effect until after the American launch of the Smart car, which seems to have been going for about 2 years now.
We wont hold our breath on this one.
Published by Ash October 30th, 2007
in Chinese Car News.
Over the past few days we’ve posted a few pictures of future VW vehicles in China, namely the new Jetta, and the alleged Santana 4000. The Chinese motoring press are going crazy for uncovered photos of the new Jetta from FAW and the Santana 4000 from SAIC, so crazy in fact, that they are offering around 5000rmb (nearly $700USD) for the first person to send uncovered photos of the two, the requirements are basically around ten photos or more which show the bodywork and the interior.
Think you’ve got what it takes? Then give Sina a call, they’ll give you some dosh!
Published by Ash October 30th, 2007
in Hafei Motor.
A while back Citroen teamed up with Hafei, a car and minivan maker from Harbin city in the cold North East of China. It seems Hafei have wasted no time in knocking out the Citroen Berlingo van:
More news as we get it!
Published by Ash October 30th, 2007
in JAC Motors.
This report is totally unconfirmed, China Car Times obtained this information from a Chinese motoring website and cannot vouch 100% for its accuracy.
News is going around that JAC are making a super mini, either using the Citroen C1 as a ‘template’ or as a benchmark, or they’ve actually got the rights to use the Citroen technology in China.
Published by Ash October 30th, 2007
in Guangzhou Honda.
Guangzhou Auto and Honda have been in business for a few years now, Guangzhou Auto originally teamed up with Peugeot to bring French motoring to the Chinese masses, unfortunately Peugeot didn’t want to bring all their cars to China and offered up a tatty old 504 instead. We guess they thought if the Santana is selling well, then so will the 504! Sadly it went down like a lead brick, Peugeot retreated from the Chinese market and didnt come back for a few years. Guangzhou Auto then teamed up with Honda to take on the Chinese market, and have done quite well together. The Honda Oddysey, Fit, and Accord are all made by the Guangzhou Auto company.
A while back we posted about Guangzhou Auto, and Honda getting ready to launch a brand new indpendent brand in China using Guanzhous workforce and Honda technology together for the common good, the brand is going to be launched at next months Guangzhou auto show, where we will be able to see their first sedan - we are told that the sedan is based around the 2007 Honda Accord.
Guangzhou Autos own brand, one to look out for!
Published by Ash October 30th, 2007
in Lifan.
Lifan have hit the world stage like a tornado in Kansas, they’ve got from small time motorbike maker to one of the worlds largest motorbike manufacturers overnight, they’ve also started making a range of small sedans and a hatchback. China Car Times expects we’ll be hearing a lot more from Lifan over the next coming weeks.
Chongqing Lifan Industry (Group) Co, a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer-turned-auto maker, plans to raise more than one billion yuan (US$133 million) from a domestic share listing, the company’s chairman said yesterday.
Yin Mingshan, whose company is one of China’s biggest private auto makers, said Lifan has already begun preparing for its IPO and that it will most likely be in China. The IPO will be crucial to Lifan’s plan to boost production tenfold by 2015, from its forecast output for 2007 of 40,000 units, Yin said in Shanghai.
Published by Ash October 30th, 2007
in First Automobile Works and Chang'an Ford.
FAW and Mazda are in bed together to make the Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 in China, they currently offer the Mazda 6 saloon, coupe, and wagon - (the wagon and coupe are both very very nice, even though they both have the same 2.3 motor) To further its success in the Chinese market, Mazda have upped their stake in the FAW/Mazda joint venture agreement from 25% to a more muscular 40%. This puts the joint venture at Mazda 40%, FAW 4% and the FAW subsidiary company, FAW Car Co at 56%.
Mazda will also transfer the sales of the super mini Mazda 3 from FAW to the Chang’an Ford joint venture later this year, in addition the Mazda 2 will be made at the brand new Chang’an Ford Mazda factory in Nanjing.
The Japanese made Mazda 5 is also being imported into China directly from Japan at the end of this year.
Published by Ash October 29th, 2007
in Chinese Police.
Every dog in Zhengzhou city should be quivering in its basket or kennel tonight. The Zhengzhou police have declared war on the K9 Menace and have gotten their hands on some peculiar weaponry in their fight against the four legged, bum licking menace we know as dogs.
The gun is not an actual gun, but a net launcher that can be used to net the dogs if they are a public menace. The cops also carry real guns so they can injure, or kill, the terrible fur coated menace that plague our glorious streets and boulevards!
Latest Comments