Archive for January, 2010
Ford Edge to be imported or built in China?
A Ford Edge SUV has been spotted out testing in China, sparking rumors of an imminent launch of the SUV in China. Ford China are currently lacking an SUV option since they ended the import of the American built Ford Escape (Maverick in China), persistant rumors of the Ford Kuga launching in China have been [...]
Cars to the countryside program to run for another year
During the start of the world economic turn down a year ago, the Chinese government stepped in and began a program of subsidies that would introduce the automobile to rural buyers and give the beleaguered Chinese car industry a much needed boost. The government encouraged small car makers to sell small displacement MPV’s and other [...]
Brilliance BS4 Facelift spotted out testing
A Brilliance BS4 with an updated nose has been spotted out testing in China, the new front end is reportedly a new grill which looks more like its big brother, the BS6, and also minor exterior modifications such as new wing mirrors, the rear end has also been given a lift and tuck. The updated [...]
Toyota to launch Corolla hatchback in the PRC
Toyota may have fared well over the past 12 months in China, there sales are up but profit is down, they have totally failed to grasp hold of the 1.6L segment which has been fueling massive sales across China in the past 12 months. For a company whose small car range rules the roost, they [...]
Changhe Suzuki WagonR spotted out
The WagonR is finally getting a long overdue face lift which takes it into a new decade of sales, pictures of the final product were leaked to auto.sohu.com: On the power side, the same 1.4L engine from the last WagonR will used, producing 67kw at 6000rpm and 112Nm/4000rpm. Thanks to Indian Autos Blog for pointing [...]
SAIC’s argument with the man in the shed
When Nanjing Automobile took on MG-Rover in 2005, an offshoot car company run by Will Riley managed to purchase all of the remaining shells, chassis, and engines for the MG SV sports car which Nanjing evidently have any interest in. Mr. Riley foolishly called his new company MG X-Power Sports, which irked the rightful owners [...]
Huatai sedan, spotted again complete with interior shot
Huatai are taking a lot of flack for producing a sedan that initially appeared to have a lot of Bentley styling, but it appears that Huatai are well on their way to producing a car for a niche market that Chinese automakers have largely overlooked until now. Chinese automakers have mostly involved in a race [...]
BAW to launch Saab models next year
Late last year it was announced that Beijing Automotive Works (BAW) had purchased several models from Saab’s owners, GM, the IPR fire sale included three platforms and two turbo assisted engines from Saab, in 2011 BAW is planning to get its own ‘Baw-aab‘ out into dealerships across China. BAW reportedly signed up a team of [...]
Peugeot 3008 spotted out testing in China
As Peugeot are planning to up their market share to 8% of the Chinese market, they are going to need some new models. Their current Chinese model is entirely made up of hatchbacks, and then sedans which are essentially notchback versions of the hatches, although Peugeot have stated before that they do plan to build [...]
Geely planning major Volvo plant in Beijing
Reuters is currently reporting that the Volvo – Geely deal is going to see Geely build a Volvo plant near Beijing city where it will be able to pump out several thousand Volvo models per year for the Chinese market place, which is where Geely hopes to make the majority of its money back from [...]
Peugeot aiming for 8% of Chinese market by 2016
Peugeot clearly have some high hopes for the Chinese market, but it appears that they are planning some major new models such as the Pug 408, and the Pug 3008 crossover, both of which are expected to make a splash this year. Reuters: PARIS/BEIJING, Jan 25 (Reuters) – French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen (PEUP.PA) wants [...]
MG to start selling cars in the UK by the end of 2010
From Reuters: SHANGHAI, Jan 25 (Reuters) – SAIC Motor Corp (600104.SS), China’s biggest automaker, plans to sell its U.K.-made MG cars in Europe at the end of the year as it moves to revive the British vintage brand it took over three years ago. SAIC, which has had initial success selling its own-brand cars domestically, [...]
2010 to become the year of the Chinese car
The age of the electric car is about to begin with the help of the Chinese government, so we can expect a massive push of electric cars from the concept stage into the production stage in the next few months. Growing oil prices are expected to be an even larger push for the Chinese government [...]
Dongfeng Peugeot 408 to launch tonight!
The Dongfeng built Pegeuot 408 is set to launch tonight in China with a series of four models, pricing is also expected to be around 120,000rmb which puts it squarely against the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and also Roewe 550 in a hotly contested segment. This is the first mid size sedan from Peugeot since [...]
Chery Riich G5 to launch soon – priced at 120k for 2.0VVT engine
The Chery Riich G5 2.0 VVT model is Chery’s third Riich model to be launched after the Riich M1 mini car, and the Riich 2.0T version. Although it is lacking the flagships turbo, what it does have is some fuel saving variable valve technology, and a fairly decent specification which will see it compete fairly [...]
Chery X5 to launch in March
The Chery X5 SUV is set to launch in May later this year after succesfully competing in the Dakar rally. The X5 is going to be launched under the Rely brand and is expected to sell for around 160,000rmb. Engines for the X5 at launch are expected to be a mixture of self developed gasoline [...]
1.4TSI VW Magotan launched in China
Chinese love their mid size sedans, but as with all drivers they don’t enjoy the the fuel fees that come with driving a large sedan. Here comes the 1.4TSI version, producing around 130bhp and 220Nm of torque, which is more than enough for city driving. The 1.4TSI is not cheap, with it priced from 193,380rmb [...]
The new Chang’an wont abandon Changhe and Hafei brands
Since Chang’an announced its plans to take over the AVIC car makers, Hafei and Changhe, late last year there have been many rumors circulating various media outlets that Chang’an plans to abandon their recently acquired Changhe and Hafei brands. The new Chang’an public relations officer, Zheng Chang Jiang expressed that brands like Hafei are mid-level [...]
Geely GC5RV spotted out testing
We’ll be the first to admit that Geelys latest line of hatchbacks are vastly improved on the hatchbacks that Geely was pumping out en masse just a few years ago, the Geely King Kong hatchback was the first, now the GC5RV is set to be the second: On the power front, the GC5RV will be [...]
Buick Excelle hatch to launch this month of the 23rd, priced 126k to 176k RMB
The Buick Execlle hatch is set to launch in China this month on the 23rd according to various websites. The 23rd January will see the launch of the full range of the 1.6L, 1.8L and the flagship 1.6T unit, pricing is being estimated by the Chinese media as being from 126,000rmb to 176,000rmb with the [...]
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