From Gasgoo:
Chery Automobile is planning to launch a low-priced convertible model as part of its new Faira series, priced from around $11,400.
The Faira family of subcompacts — including hatchback, sedan and crossover models — was unveiled last week at the Beijing auto show. The Chinese name is fu wa, for the mascot of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Chery executive Li Feng said all five Faira models, including the convertible, will go into production in 2009. Prices will start at just over $7,150 for the basic hatchback.
“We want to get into every niche market in the small-car segment,” said Li.
This car reminds China Car Times of the legendary Mini Metro Cabriolet
$11,400 USD? That converts to 80,000 rmb………a bit “pricey” if you ask me. And THAT’S the starting price - add a bigger engine option and other things and it will add up to 90,000 rmb - WAY too pricey. Sure, having a convertible is great…….but I think Chery is kidding themselves if they think people will choose this over a Fit or a Polo or something similar. Remember, cars like the Fit, Polo, HRV and others are ALSO in the 80-90,000 rmb range now. I suppose if you HAVE to have a convertible, then this will be the lowest priced one in China……but it’s STILL pricey!!!
80k for a convertible is not pricey at all.
The problem is, nobody will buy it.
The whole country cover themselves up as soon as the sun comes out, they tint their windows so black you cant see out (or in) and quite possibly the only country in the world where you wear more clothes to the beach than you do elsewhere.
The idea of a Faira Cab is lost in China, it would be the cheapest, but who will buy it? Do you really want to drive down the highway with the roof down getting lungs full of diesel fumes?
Well, I for one, would certainly love to have a Faira CC, but would anyone else?
As I recall, the Geo Metro convertible sold for less than 10,000 USD….but that was also 15 years ago!! This is also BIGGER than the Metro was…..I totally forgot that the Metro was a 3 cyl./1.0 liter engine and a pretty tiny car. I suspect that they will put a 1.2 or 1.3l engine in the car and and give it a “sporty” focus when it comes to marketing. Here’s a question for anyone - MIGHT this new Faira line of cars from Chery be potential Dodge products in places like South America or Mexico? I could see this convertible being a BIG hit in those places - lots of sun there and people LIKE getting out in the sun there (unlike China). Imagine this car roaming the streets of Buenos Aries or Rio……maybe even Australia??
Why not ? As long as this model is of better quality than other Chery’s models then I think it will do ok, the price does say something, you get what you pay for.
If I do another few more years in China, I’ll probably be in the market for a car relatively soon. I think I would pick this one (even though at the very best it wont be around till January, probably much later…), since most of my driving would be within my Tier 2/3 city - Suzhou - Pollution isn’t too bad compared to Shanghai or Beijing. I probably wont use it for inter-province travel where Im sure if I got into a collision my remains would fit into a manilla envelope.
But have to agree with JoninChina, I’ve seen plenty of Bug Cabrios, SLKs, 206CCs, but rarely have I ever seen them with the top down (seen it twice - out of probably over 600 sightings) - a shame to with the excellent weather lately. Assuming that since this was written by edmunds, that the price of 11,400 USD might be the export price (to the US?) - perhaps it may be alot cheaper here on its home soil. - Im hoping for that! However even at 80,000 rmb & the hideous climate/audio center console cluster, assuming it comes with a 1.3 and the roof & window seals don’t leak like a sieve - I think I’d bite…Maybe bite harder if the option for the 1.5
The only downside I would see (providing it is built well), is if I needed to, I couldn’t fit 3-4 people in here - with the 206cc you can atleast kinda fit 2 people in the back with the aid of a broomstick/pry-bar :-D…then again the 206cc is about 3 times the price…
Wonder if the top will be manual or electric/hydraulics? And if those roll hoops, will actually keep their integrity in a roll over?