Previously on China Car Times we reported that the Proton Gen2 racer was to be made in China, however, recent reports from various Malaysian motor websites have indicated that the Gen2 racer, (since renamed the Europestar) is actually being shipped from Malaysia.
Recent reports have said that 1600 Gen2 racers left Malaysian ports destined for China, could it be that the Gen2 is being sent as part of an OEM deal for Jinhua Youngman to get into the car making game? Now it certainly seems that way, Proton and Youngman inked a contract saying that they will create (or rather supply now) 8 cars over the next 4 years.
China Car Times was originally under the impression that the Proton Gen2 was renamed Europestar for the Chinese market, as Chinese people really cant say Gen2, but now it seems more like Europestar is actually Chinas latest brand to hit the road.
Just somemore info, Europestar is the passenger car brand of Jinhua Youngman.
The Europestar RCR will initially be a fully imported car, but later CKD packs will be shipped and it will be locally assembled in China.
Thanks Paul - Proton must be selling these cars cheap to Jinhua Youngman, the Chinese motoring press say it will be priced 120 to 160,000rmb which makes it very cheap for an imported car, possibly the cheapest imported car on the Chinese market?
I think Proton sells it’s cars cheap worldwide. And from what I’ve seen of Protons in the UK there’s a reason. They styling is dodgy (granted that’s a personal opinion) but the build quality is woeful. That’s where the money has been saved, and it shows. The car is awful to drive as well. The engines are rough and the ride/handling is awful (again penny pinching is rife here). Engineer a car cheaply then you can sell it cheaply. But it’ll show.
Im australian.. owned gen-2
it had nice handling. The engine responsive too. but need higher rpm.. not suit town driving.
it’s better and best car in it class.
Hey, that sounds really good! The Eurostar was launched today in Beijing!
hi.. i’m the gen-2 owner. seems nothing problem to me. very affordable for fresh graduate like me and i enjoy my car very much
superb handling n revvy engine
legendary lotus DNA
I finally saw one in the October holiday in Daqing.
First one I ever saw in the PRC. I think I like their strategy in China, its very Maoist. First they offer their wares in the countryside, then they surround the big cities. Ive never seen a RCR in a big city, nor do they have any dealerships in a big city.
Also with sales dwindling in the East Coast, its time to move inland anyway.
Europestar = smart.