Guangzhou Auto to air SUV in Guangzhou

Industry News, Spy Shots | Ash | November 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Earlier today I was driving some 150-200 meters behind an unusual white sedan, not quite sure what the sedan looked like I hit the accelerator to catch up with the mysterious car, it slowly took shape, square headlights at the rear, a Toyota Camry like shape, perhaps it was a gray import Scion? Some random car from Japan? No to both. It was of course a Guangzhou Trumpchi sedan that is based on the Alfa Romeo platform. Although under show room and auto show conditions the Trumpchi has failed to impress me, out on the road it was a different story, it certainly stands out in a sea of bland.

The Trumpchi is a one car line up so far, but not for much longer as the Trumpchi X-Power SUV is readying to make a break for the big time according to Chinese media reports. It’s still not clear what is underpinning the Trumpchi, possibly an Alfa Romeo platform, or possibly an old Mitsubishi platform via Guangzhou Auto’s Changfeng subsidiary.

A 2.0L engine is expected to make it into the early versions of the SUV but 1.8L and 2.4L models will follow later on.

Ash

Ash came to China at 18 on a whim and never left. Some 10 years later he collected a degree and a family along the way and now focuses his time on watching the Chinese car industry develop. He has witnessed the market change from being minor backyard market in to the world's biggest and most important market for all car manufacturers. You can contact or connect with him via Linkedin by clicking the 'Website' link.