Comments on: Dongfeng Honda launches Honda Spirior today

By: Head Honcho

Head Honcho — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:01:27 +0000

Taeedy are you Ed the 5th?

By: Taeedy

Taeedy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:48:17 +0000

It would be so nice if the hypocritical “Chinese bashers” were to leave China. That should be so instead of living here, eating here, indulging in the Chinese resources etc. If you don’t like China, if it is so bad, if your homeland is so much better, why not just get out?

By: Taeedy

Taeedy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:40:56 +0000

hey!

By: CCT

CCT — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:03:49 +0000

No, I did have a look at it for a family sedan though; Its way too small, I have no idea how European families use it.

Ill ask Dongfeng nicely next week

By: Gerald

Gerald — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:53:57 +0000

Ash – have you gotten to drive this yet? I saw a black one (parked) the other day.

By: CCT

CCT — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:39:04 +0000

Had a look over this on Monday at the official launch, it looks fantastic but is a lot smaller than the Honda Accord. If I was in the market for a ‘premium sports car’, I’d certainly give it a second glance.

My wife is after one now!

Still, it’s not very fast, at least on paper.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:40:29 +0000

charlie – I would say that in the powertrain department, and more specifically with regards to engines, China is somewhere between Europe and the US. But engine selection is strongly influenced by duties and taxes (taxes on gas as well as on the cars themselves).

You are right – I could very well be mistaken about the CTS – it might’ve been the DTS. But the argument holds for other cars here as well. Of course, the reverse is also true in some cases.

While you do pay quite a bit for the better cars over here, they’re still a lot more affordable than in other developing nations, such as India.

By: charlie

charlie — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:27:07 +0000

@gerald; powertrain and electronics is what defines the premium market. I think the CTS is the same; it is the DTS which is better in china, no?

cars seems very expensive in china but only commies brats can afford the nice ones anyways.

By: Head Honcho

Head Honcho — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:14:56 +0000

From what I have seen more foreign brand cars made in China come with a little less for the same money as they are sold outside of China. Smaller engine, less standard equipment, smaller wheels.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:30:30 +0000

Matt – I would argue that foreign brands sold in the Chinese markets are mostly only lacking in the powertrain department, and some of the fancier electronic gadgets. In many cases, the exterior and interior styling and materials used are better/more upscale than their foreign counterparts.

The previous Chinese Buick LaCrosse was a good example of this. The Chinese Mondeo has side marker lamps on the mirrors, whereas the UK models have them on the body. And it’s also got LED tail lights, which the foreign models lack. The latest Honda Accord comes standard with a more aggressive/sportier bodykit than what you will find in the US. There are also examples amongst the luxury cars, such as the Cadillac CTS which has better dash styling/trim and leather seating than the US model.

Regarding your price comparison with the US, this is not a China thing – cars from pretty much anywhere else in the world appear overpriced compared to the US. Actually, some cars sold in China are quite price competitive with their foreign equivalents, especially the European models. But anything not domestically produced does carry heavy import taxes. That said, I do understand your point about relative pricing, and that’s part of the reason why both of my cars here are Fords (which happen to be Euro, not US Ford models).

By: Head Honcho

Head Honcho — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:35:25 +0000

I think the term sports car is used very loosely in China. My friend called a Ford Focus and Hyundai tiburon a sports car. I just laughed.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:41:37 +0000

Which leads to the question – Why are Chinese made models of Western and Japanese automotive products so much different (i.e. lacking in equipment) than their Euro/US/JDM counterparts?

Cars appear to be overpriced in China, at least compared to the USA, why is this?

By: loyola

loyola — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:09:17 +0000

European specs are 150 diesel and regular 156/201 (2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 engines). About 25000€ basic version. If Guangzhou Honda may introduce the new Civic Type R, that certainly would be a spirior achievement.

By: Rick in China

Rick in China — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:18:26 +0000

@Matt
A vehicle that “looks” as good but is actually far inferior, what did you expect from a Chinese version of a western product? Come on now.

Oh, to add, a likely higher price. I’m *yawning* at all the offers for inferior yet more expensive products..something has to change!

That being said, I suppose vehicle prices here are still much better than the markups in HK and SG.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:55:29 +0000

I like the name, I like the car, I dont like the engine! The yank spec engine has a 3.5 V6. The 2010 Acura TSX has a 201bhp 2.4l engine. What is this that Dongfeng are offering?

By: Gerald

Gerald — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:39:59 +0000

I agree with Rick – at least give it a 6-speed seq shift tranny.

And by the way, I think the name “Spirior” really sucks.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:38:36 +0000

I don’t think the Euro Accord is available with a V6? As far as I know, the only engines offered are gas 2.0L and 2.4L, as well as a 2.2L turbo diesel.

Anyways, I wonder how they will price it here.

By: Rick in China

Rick in China — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:37:22 +0000

10.8s 0-100k? WTF, how can they label this a sports car?

That being said, it looks nice, but labelling it a sports car shouldn’t demand a higher price for essentially a mom’n'pop sedan. Plus, if they want to call it sporty at least bring a 2-dr version out so it can ‘look’ sporty.