Explaining the Chinese Car Industry and Chinese Cars
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Bolivia allegedly has the most dangerous road in the world, but we think these roads from China can easily compete with the south Americans.
We’ve found a compiled list of the most dangerous roads in China, although they are not ranked by number of deaths, but more like their sheer ‘badass-ness’ (if such a word exists) Click continue reading to see these roller coaster roads!
March 2008 will see a whole host of new cars being launched onto Chinese roads, many are made domestically, others will be imported. China Car Times brings you whats coming:
Chinese Made:
Foreign Imports:
The soon to be launched Lifan 620 has already had a minor face change for the top of the range models.
The Lifa 620 ‘big mouth’ edition is being sold by Lifan as the most luxurious car they make, with it having a full leather interior (including steering wheel) and other extras as standard such as reversing sensors, ABS and EBD. Buyers of Lifan cars should expect excellent service with the latest 5 year, or 100,000km free servicing.
The Nissan Livina, a small yet huge mini car has proven popular in China since it was launched in the middle of 2007, Nissan are eager to continue with the mass sales of their top selling minicar and plan to give it to the crossover treatment.
The normal Livina is longer than the Honda Fit, which gives it plenty more room for roughly the same price. The crossover Livina, with its chunky cladding is even bigger than the normal Livina, but smaller than the soon to be launched Nissan Qashqai.
The above picture shows the differences between the two models, the crossover left, and the regular right.
Prices on the new Crossover Livina are unknown, but will probably be in the 100,000rmb range to take on the latest Polo Cross, the SX4 and the MG3 SW. The Crossover rage has taken China by storm since the SX4 came onto the market, the big marques have found a comfortable niche market by making regular hatchbacks into tough little city cars with black plastic cladding. China Car Times quite likes the look of the Livina Crossover, but is confused as to why its being billed as a ’sports’ model by Nissan, its ride hight, width, and length are all bigger than the regular Livina.
Last week we showed you ‘When car mods go bad‘ this week we show you ‘When car mods go REALLY bad!’
Not everyone can afford a motor from a luxury marque, some of us in China have to make do with domestically made vehicles rather than import models. Its those that buy the Chinese made models, and then adorn them with foreign labeling that make us smile the most.
Wonder what we’re on about? Click continue reading:
The latest Ford Focus for 2008 has had a slight make over at the front, and a new look on the interior.
The Ford Focus is a very popular car in China, in both hatchback and saloon form. Ford China offer a 1.8 and a 2.0 model, there is also a sports model, the Ford Focus ST.
We’re hearing rumors at China Car Times central that Russian authorities are once again twisting the thumb screws down on our very own Chery and Geely auto makers.
Previously Russia effectively made it very difficult for Chinese automakers to operate in Russia over the past few months, and have been slowly forcing the Chinese out of their markets. The latest issue for Chinese makers in Russia, is the raising of the automobile standard by the Russian authorities, which is forcing Chery and Geely to leave the Russian market. The latest rules from the Russian authorities relate to the tax paid on CKD kits, and how CKD kits actually qualify as CKD kits, Russian authorities also believe the emission standards of Chinese cars are too low.
The Chinese motoring press say that Chery has already basically pulled out of Russia, Geely will do eventually and Great Wall has had nothing but problems with Russian bureaucracy.
Despite the eventual leaving of the Russian markets, Chinese manufacturers have already invested millions of dollars into the market and sold many thousands of cars in Russia. Who will loose the most from this deal, the Chinese manufacturers, or the Russian people?
Chang’an are slowly increasing their model line up, first it was the Ben Ben (which was a run away success) then their MPV Jiexun complete with a hybrid version and now Chang’an plan to increase their line up with the CV8 sedan.
The CV8 sedan has been spotted out testing before, but never photographed in such detail. The CV8 will have an engine ranging from 1.4 to 1.6, both of which are made independtly by Chang’an. The CV is expected to be launched at the Beijing Auto Show in April, but you dont have to wait until then to see it, you can see it here on China Car Times.
Continue reading ‘Chang’an CV8 - A sedan we’d like to have, including 2.0l turbo engine!’
Xinhua is reporting that Porsche have to recall 2,561 Cayenne SUVs in China due to a poorly placed fuel line. The Cayenne has proven popular since it was launched in China, China Car Times cannot think of a day when he hasnt seen at least 3 or 4 Cayennes prowling the streets of Qingdao.
BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) — Luxury automaker Porsche has started a recall of 2,561 of its Cayenne sport utility vehicles (SUV), Chinese officials said here in a circular on Tuesday.
According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the vehicle’s fuel line came into contact with the engine block while the car was being driven, The contact could cause a knocking sound and leave abrasions on the fuel line, which could lead to fuel leaks, the circular said.
The automaker said that it would repair the fuel lines for free. The recall will last for 12 months. To date, no injuries or accidents had been reported due to the defect, it said.
Due to the problem, the automaker will recall nearly 19,000 Cayennes worldwide, according to media reports.
Porsche sales in China hit nearly 4,200 last year, up from 2,305 in 2006, said the company.
Hafei Automobiles actually make some of the nicest cars we’ve seen from a Chinese manufacturer, the cars are understyled, yet modern, somehow these cars just look good. The above Saibao 4, is just one example of their saloon range, Hafei also make mini MPVs (mian bao che) and two mini cars, the Lubao, and the Saima.
Yesterday China Car Times learned that Dongfeng motors, Chinas 3rd largest automotive manufacturer, had made public overtures to Hafei’s parent company, AviChina Industry & Technology Company with regards to forming an automotive joint venture. Avichina is said to be the one financing the joint venture by circulating shares of a sub company, Dongan motors, as well using its assets in Hafei automobiles.
Previously we had heard that Dongfeng was planning to offer upto 2 billion RMB to buy 50% of Hafei automobiles. If the deal goes through and obtains approval of the Chinese government, it would pave the way to further consolidation of Chinas massive automotive industry.
China Car Times cannot guess what Dongfeng want from Hafei automotive, could it be a design team? Could it be car building technology, could it be engine tech from Dongan? Possibly all of the above? Despite Dongfeng having joint ventures with some of the biggest car makers in the world, Dongfeng have yet to release their own brand of vehicles as their largest competitors FAW, and SAIC, have already done. Dongfeng did release the Joyear, but sales have been said to be less than a 1000 units to date.
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