Archive for October, 2009
Dongfeng-Renault deal dead in the water again
The proposed joint venture deal between Dongfeng and Renault has reportedly stopped again. The two automotive companies have been in talks for years regarding the production of Renault vehicles in China, but have repeatedly had various setbacks. Currently Renault are importing vehicles into China, their most recent model launch is the competitively priced Renault Koleos [...]
Cheers then! Dongfeng Nissan to recall Qashqai and X-Trail
Dongfeng-Nissan are planning to recall over 50,000 Qashqai and X-Trail models that were produced in China. The recall was announced via China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine website yesterday, Dongfeng are recalling 14,168 X-Trails that were produced between March 31 2008 and to August 26 2009 and a further 33,667 Qashqai vehicles [...]
Chinese made Golf GTI spotted again, to launch early 2010
The Chinese built Golf GTI is expected to launch early in 2010 according to our sources and will almost be the same as the European model. Rumours of a March 2010 launch have been circulating around the internet, but a final launch date has yet to be announced by FAW-VW who are currently preparing to [...]
New Chevrolet Sail spotted!
The Chevrolet Sail is quite possibly the cheapest car in Shanghai-GM’s war chest of cars, the Chevrolet Spark is possibly a close rival, but the Sail out strips it in terms of sales these days. The a face lifted Chevrolet Sail has been spotted out testing on the roads in China, and has given us [...]
Bugatti opens dealership in Beijing
Bugatti have realized the potential of the Chinese desire for performance vehicles and have opened their first dealership in Beijing, the only one outside of France. Bugatti first saw the offerings of the Chinese market when they brought their models to the Beijing Auto Show late last year, within 2 hours of being on show [...]
Chery Riich G5 nails the Nürburgring!
Chery took their soon to be launched Riich G5 premium sedan to the Nürburgring in Germany for some serious testing of its credentials, and obtained itself a great score considering the previous contenders. The G5 is the first mid size sedan from Chery, and will carry a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, and also a 2.0T [...]
Riich G5 takes on the Nürburgring!
Chery are on the verge of launching their first premium segment car, and what a better way to show its credentials than flinging it around the Nürburgring! The G5 was put through its paces at the ring yesterday under the guidance of a currently unnamed Lotus driver, however a final time for the G5 wont [...]
Ford to kick start Chinese turbo era with Ecoboost technology
Turbo equipped cars in China are few and far between, it appears that VW are the biggest leader in the “T” segment, and their partners SAIC are also doing well with the introduction of their own 1.8T and soon to be 1.5T engine. Ford are not wanting to be left behind in the turbo era [...]
Lancer Hatchback Spotted Out Testing
With SouEast getting ready to launch the most recent generation Mitsubishi Lancer sedan in China in November, it comes as no suprise to learn that the Lancer hatchback is also highly likely to be built in China. The Chinese built Lancer EX sedan will be launched next month (November 2009) and is expected to sell [...]
Ford sales hit record in September
Chang’an Ford are doing some sterling business in China this year, with sales hitting new records in a tightly packed market. It should be noted that Ford are the only American car company in China that are hitting volume sales, and are certainly holding their own against the Japanese, Korean, and Chinese auto makers. Ford [...]
China building its own Pentagon
So says The Telegraph: The Shanghai Pentagonal Mart is bigger than the Virginia headquarters of the US defence department, sprawling across over 70 acres, but it has a rather more mundane purpose. When its doors open at the beginning of next year, it will be a shopping centre. The site is around 40 minutes from [...]
China considering penalizing passengers of drink-drivers
If this piece of legislation goes through, will China be the only country in the world to enforce such a law? From The Shanghai Daily: CHINA has already mounted a massive crackdown on drunk drivers and is now considering even tougher legislation, including a clause that will penalize passengers who aid and abet offenders. The [...]
New Prius spotted out testing in China, due to launch next year
The next generation Toyota Prius has been spotted out testing in China, the Prius is currently in production via the FAW-Toyota JV in North East China, and has not seen spectacular sales since its launch. The Prius biggest short coming is its high price of around 200,000rmb to 250,000rmb, making it a perfect car for [...]
Hummer going global under Tengzhong’s watch
According to Xinhua: Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co, the buyer of General Motors’ Hummer brand, will hopefully clear government approval of the deal as early as the end of this year, the company’s CEO said Saturday. The company will try to parry the unfavorable oil-guzzling image of Hummer and cultivate markets outside the United States, [...]
SAIC shopping for LDV?
LDV a recently bankrupt British van maker may soon be purchased by SAIC according to American automotive reports that have been echoed in the Chinese automotive press. If SAIC are succesful in their purchasing of LDV, SAIC will gain access to the LDV dealership network. LDV are also in the process of developing an electric [...]
Great Wall suing Fiat for industrial espionage
Fiat and Greatwall Motors have had various spats over the past few years, mostly relating to the development of Greatwall’s Perry automobile, which Fiat say is a clone of their own Panda. Initially, an Italian judge ruled in Fiats favour and banned Greatwall from selling the car in Europe, later a counter claim from a [...]
Six Speed DSG 2.0T – The Chinese built Golf GTI to launch soon!
VW are obviously taking a leap into unknown territory with the launch of the Chinese built Golf GTI 2.0T, not many auto companies have dared to step foot into the domestically made hot hatch territory, but we applaud VW for doing so. The Chinese built Golf GTI was spotted in the FAW factory head of [...]
Hummer becomes Chinese owned
The sale of Hummer to China’s Tengzhong was widely reported in both Chinese and foreign media reports late last night and early this morning. The American automotive icon, equally famous and infamous for its go anywhere attitude and amazingly low gas mileage is now under the control of Sichuan based Tengzhong Heavy Industries. A final [...]
Skoda Yeti to be produced next year
The Skoda brand has come from no where to becoming one the hottest upcoming brands in China in a very short time. Skoda have so far launched the Fabia, Octavia, and the Superb into China and are planning to put the Skoda Yeti into production in early 2010 according to early reports. A launch date [...]
Shenzhen to see BYD E6DM soon
Shenzhen city located in along the boom town south coast of China’s wealthy Guangdong province is likely to become one of the first cities in the world to utilize pure electric taxis. It is reported that Shenzhen City government has placed an order for between 30 and 100 BYD E6 Pure Electric cars. BYD has [...]
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