Published by Ash January 31st, 2008
in Nanjing MG.
China Car Times wasnt aware that the stretched 2.5 V6 version of the MG7 was out on the market already, but we saw the big dusty fellow below, and wondered….. The MG7L is one hellofa long car. We parked next to it, and when set off it felt like we drove past the same car twice - its nearly 5m long (LxWxH 4949mm x 1761mm x 1421mm)
We were told by a NAC rep that it may be the 2nd quarter of 08 before we see MG7L (L is for long, on the account of it being much longer than the regular MG7) Nice car, but 300,000rmb for one though.
Published by Ash January 31st, 2008
in Chinese Car News.
Its not everyday the PLA goes to war, just the odd skirmish with the unfriendly neighbors (Russia, India, and Vietnam) over the years, but now times are good, and when you dont have a war budget to spend, money just keeps pilling up, especially when you have your fingers in many many pies (like real estate). It didnt come as a surprise when this car was sent to us:
Click image to enlarge
A Maserati with Guangdong military plates on it, they must have some spare cash, the Guangdong Military.
Published by Ash January 31st, 2008
in Buick China.
The new Buick Excelle is set to take the Chinese market by storm when its launched, (perhaps in late 2008). The current Excelle already tops best selling compact sedan sales charts in China on a monthly basis, and the newer updated one shown below is set to follow that trend.
The new Excelle is set to come with the usual 1.6, and 1.8 engines that we see from Buick China, no word on the FRV or wagon version yet though!
Published by Ash January 31st, 2008
in Chinese Car News.
Car leasing is common enough in Europe and North America, but it is a largely new concept to China.
Yesterday the China Banking Regulatory Commission laid down new regulations on leasing cars to the Chinese populace. Under the rules, auto companies could lease cars to fleets or individual owners for a monthly fee, and give them the chance to buy the cars once the lease is up.
China Car Times can see this becoming a massive service in China!
Published by Ash January 30th, 2008
in Roewe - Rong Wei.
Autoweek.nl are saying that Roewe will be hitting the Netherlands pretty soon, but under the guise of the Ssangyong brand.
SsangYong gaat in de komende jaren het programma flink uitbreiden. Naast SUV’s en MPV’s komen normale personenauto’s in de prijslijst. Die rijden in China al rond als Roewe en komen in 2009 bij ons als SsangYong op de markt.
SsangYong is van huis uit een Koreaans merk maar is inmiddels opgeslokt door het Chinese SAIC-concern. Daaronder valt ook Roewe dat voorkomt uit de failliete boedel van het Engelse MG Rover. SAIC heeft besloten de Roewes op de Europese markt om te dopen tot SsangYong omdat het merk zo kan meeliften op het dealernetwerk dat al door geheel Europa is vertakt.
Aanvankelijk wilde SsangYong al dit jaar met personenauto’s op de markt komen. Maar de Chinezen pakken het zorgvuldig aan en willen goed beslagen ten ijs komen met bijvoorbeeld de veiligheid. Daarom is de boel een jaar vertraagd. SsangYong trapt af met een auto in het D-segment. Dat wordt de productieversie van deze W2 concept car, die vorig jaar is getoond. Daarna volgt een groter model. In de loop van de tijd moet een compleet personenautoprogramma ontstaan.
We dont speak a lick of Netherland’ish (or Spanish), so you’ll just have to take our word (and the word from the news tipster who sent it to us - thanks for that, by the way)
Check out the article, and the comments on the Autoweek.nl website.
Published by Ash January 30th, 2008
in Chinese Car News.
We dont speak a lick of Spanish, except for what we learned via the Fast Show when we were nippers (above), but apperently, Spanish website, El Mundo, has a good write up on the Chinese car industry.
MADRID.-Cuando China fue admitida en la Organización Mundial de Comercio, se comprometió a respetar el diseño y la propiedad intelectual. Desde entonces, han pasado ya algunos años pero los fabricantes chinos no parecen dispuestos a respetar el acuerdo.
Y esta falta de respeto no se refiere sólo a bolsos y prendas de vestir, que se venden al público en tiendas y mercadillos de las ciudades chinas, sino también en el mundo del automóvil. En este terreno los fabricantes de aquel país demuestran no tener el menor pudor a la hora de concurrir a salones internacionales con modelos que son réplicas de los de las marcas europeas.
We’re told that they say the Chinese car industry is still in its infancy, but is growing very fast!
Want to read the rest of the article, check here.
Published by Ash January 30th, 2008
in Lifan.
In recent years there has been a trend of Chinese companies buying up ailing western companies, there was Nanjing MG and Rover, Chinese banks buying stakes in Barclays bank, and then the Indians were at it too; The British company, Corus Steel was taken over by an Indian billionaire - its a reverse colonization of sorts, instead of moving people in, you move your money in, it becomes an economic empire.
Recently the American insurer, AIG, bought a 25% stake in Lifan reversing the above trend. Lifan plans to IPO on the (Shanghai) A-market soon, with hopes of raising an extra 1 billion RMB to fund their extensive plans for taking their cars to all corners of the world. Lifan is planning on increasing their production capacity to 500,000 vehicles per year by 2010, this year they plan on making a more modest 60,000 vehicles for the domestic markets. Lifans second plant in Chongqing will be churning out cars later this year.
Published by Ash January 29th, 2008
in Nanjing MG and Roewe - Rong Wei.
We found a series of pictures that compares the three cars to each other, noting their differences and similarities. The pictures, although having Chinese on them, are easy to figure out. Enjoy!
Want to see the rest of the pictures? Click continue reading - Also remember to click the thumbnails to see a bigger version!
Continue reading ‘Rover 75 V’s MG7 V’s Roewe 750′
Published by Ash January 29th, 2008
in Lifan.
Lifan are saying their latest model, the Lifan 620 will cost between 80, and 100,000rmb when it goes on the market later this year.
Lifan showed off their 620 prototype a while back (above), and finally have made the real thing. Lifan are saying the 620 will come with either a 1.6 or a 1.8 VVT motor that was self developed in house.
The sub 100k rmb car market in China is a fierce arena, with both domestic and foreign car marques clashing over prices. Lifan has routed the rest of the competition with its generous after sales services that it has offered to potential customers.
Published by Ash January 29th, 2008
in Tianjin Xiali.
The Xia Li N3 saloon (and hatchback) are possibly the main staple car sales for Xia Li cars. The N3 has been on the market for quite some time, and has been given a friendlier face for 2008.
The new and updated Xia Li N3 uses a 1.0l engine that has been updated to make it sales friendly for Beijing - Beijing has recently enforced a rule stating that all cars sold in the Beijing area must be up to Chinese 3 or higher emissions standards. The new Xia Li N3 has reached Chinese 5 emissions standards, so it looks the N3 will be getting back on the Beijing market before you know it.
We still like the hoon who put the 2.0L twin cam into his Xia Li hatchback.
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