Archive for August, 2011
Next Generation Lexus GS spotted in China
Big cars are big business in China, ask Audi about their A6 sales in China and you wont get an answer, just a big grin. Big car sales equal big profits, and this is the market that the GS is aiming for. The GS will be squaring up against Germany’s finest in the Chinese market, [...]
Englon SC6-RV rendered ahead of production
When we first heard of Geely’s plans for a multi brand line up we have to admit we were incredibly skeptical, how could a small privately owned company pull off a multi-brand strategy when their core brand was seen as a low cost economy brand? Well of course the big problem was that its core [...]
Infiniti not being produced in China
Although Infiniti may expand their production beyond their traditional Japanese borders to account for growing demand for the premium brand, Infiniti China have come out to say that any news of the brand being produced in China are not true. Infiniti currently relies on imports to sell cars in China, and it looks like it [...]
Hawtai potentially partnering with Proton
After losing their grip on the opportunity of working with Saab, Hawtai have lost no ground in chasing new partners, Hawtai are reportedly working with the Malaysian auto company Proton. According to inside sources the two companies maybe pairing up to take on the Indonesian market and have had multiple high level meetings at Hawtai’s [...]
Small cars cannot satisfy Chinese girls
For many Chinese young girls, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Beetle are always their dream cars. If they cannot afford them, which are priced from RMB 269k (€29k) and RMB 201k (€22k), smaller cars such as the Skoda Fabia are also acceptable. However, when they graduate from university, some of them will not be content will [...]
The Chinese are coming at long last, albeit slower than expected
With difficulties appearing in their home markets, Chinese car makers are starting to look more at foreign markets to continue with the strong growth they saw in 2010. According to sales stats for July many Chinese auto makers saw a drop in sales partly due to a lower demand but also due to strengthened marketing [...]
This is not the MG5 with very little camo
The MG5 and Roewe 350 may share a platform, but they are miles apart in the looks department. The 350 is a very middle of the road grandpa inspired design, the MG5 looks like a new hot hatch that is ready to roll with the best of them. The MG5 concept had its first airing [...]
First renders of Foton’s K1 MPV surface
Foton are already one of the world’s biggest light truck manufacturer, but they are not content with sitting with just the title of truck manufacturer, they are planning to enter the passenger car business in a major way. Foton are owned by Beijing Auto Industry Corp and have a large amount of freedom within the [...]
Chinese car makers should learn something from the BMW i3
The BMW i3 Concept, a small pure electric car for megacities, will be unveiled at Frankfurt Auto Show next month and the production model may hit the market in 2013. Although BMW i3 is just a high-end small car of the luxury brand, many car makers should learn something from it, including the sanguine Chinese [...]
China’s July auto sales declined from a month earlier
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers announced the automobile output and sales figures for July on August 10th. China’s auto output and sales in July hit 1,306,100 units and 1,275,300 units respectively, down 6.96% and 11.19% from a month earlier, up 1.26% and 2.18% from a year earlier. The auto output and sales in Jan-July period [...]
Hertz Rental Starts adds BYD E6 to its fleet
Hertz Rental has added the BYD E6 to its fleet marking the first time that the global car rental company has added a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) to its fleet of cars in China. The E6 will initially be available in the Shenzhen area, close to BYD’s HQ, but is expected to role out across [...]
Next Generation Ford Focus Hatch Sighted in China
The Ford Focus has become the yard stick for middle class life in China, and as a result it has become one of the best selling cars in the Chinese market with monthly sales often breaking the 10,000 units barrier on a regular basis. The next generation of Focus has already hit the markets in [...]
Zotye sends the T-Series SUV range to the patent
Zotye may have been based around a single car for the past few years, but they have rapidly expanded their product line up over the past few months to include some interesting new vehicles. The Fiat Multipla based MPV has already hit the market and the Shanghai Auto Show revealed a stand full of concept [...]
Geely’s GX7 SUV out in the open at a dealer
Geely’s Global Eagle brand, which they have called Gleagle, is about to spawn its first SUV. The GX7 was first unveiled in concept form at the Beijing Auto Show in 2010 where it was eager to show there was another Chinese SUV in town to rival the Chery Tiggo3 and the Great Wall series of [...]
This is the MG-E1, aka the first electric MG
The Roewe E1 concept car was unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show where it stood rather forlorn and lonely looking a few steps away from the rest of the mighty Roewe stand, a few weeks ago when we were talking with SAIC PR regarding the MG3 test it was mentioned that the E1 would [...]
Next generation CRV slightly naked in China
When Janet Jackson had her minor nip slip at the Superbowl a few years back the American public went wild, but will they go wild for the new CRV? Of course official renderings have already been released of the popular compact SUV, but this is the first time that a production model has been spied [...]
Chang-an’s C201 spotted out with light camo – shaping up to be a handsome car
The Chang’an C201 was spotted out testing in China earlier this week and managed to get Chinese automotive outlets excited for the briefest of moments, the C201 is of course the Chang’an Mermaid that will have its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show later this year. The C201 is carrying a new logo from Chang’an [...]
China’s midsize car segment hits seven-year itch
The Midsize car segment is usually the most profitable one in China’s auto market. The launch of Guangqi Honda’s Accord in 2003 marked a new era for the segment. Since then, the segment has seen rapid growth for more than seven years. However, the segment has experienced a rare sales decline since the start of [...]
China’s July auto sales decreased 11.19% from a month earlier to 1,275,300 units
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers released the country’s auto output and sales data for July on August 10th. China’s auto output and sales saw a month-on-month decline and a year-on-year growth in the traditional low season. The commercial vehicle sector saw bigger month-on-month decline than the passenger vehicle sector. The auto output and sales in [...]
GM’s Baojun 630 hits the market at 62,800rmb and rising
GM have successfully launched their latest brand and first model in Chengdu. The Baojun brand and the first 630 sedan had its first airing at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year, yesterday the 630 officially launched in Chengdu. The Baojun brand was created via a three way tie up between Shanghai Auto Industry Corp [...]
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