Published by Ash August 21st, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
Changfeng have reportedly abandoned any notion of buying the stricken Hummer brand from GM, although GM have also denied they have solicited bids for the Hummer brand.
A Changfeng insider close to the dealings expressed that Changfeng and GM were in base talks to offload Hummer to the Chinese, Changfeng executives were reported to have visited the Hummer production facilities, but found the Hummers gasoline consumption to be ‘too high’ and though it would be too difficult to open any kind of market for the Hummer in China.
However, Changfeng and Hummer may have to a deal earlier this year to supply chassis, in return Hummer will help Changfeng enter the US marketplace, Changfeng will also help Hummer enter the Chinese marketplace, possibly via Changfeng dealerships rather than the current gray market Hummer imports.
With the tax on big imported vehicles about to rise, the Hummer brand as an imported vehicle may well becoming to an abrupt end. An imported SUV that costs 1 million RMB now, may well cost 1.3 million RMB once the tax takes affect on Sept 1st 2008.
Hummer is the quint essential American brand, its percieved as being big and strong, but would a Chinese owner be able to carry on with that mantra? Perhaps the best deal for GM would be to procure smaller Chinese SUV’s and turn the Hummer brand into an economical SUV brand.
Last weeks First Economic Daily newspaper reported that Guangzhou Auto and Changfeng Auto were in take over talks. This week, the talks have turned into facts: Guangzhou Auto plans to buy Changfeng Auto and will take control in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Changfeng-Mitsubishi joint venture will continue under Guangzhou management, just as Mitsubishi announced a new range of engines for the Chinese market.
Rumors of Guangzhou Auto wanting to purchase a smaller rival for quite some time, with Guangzhou Auto being linked to buying Beijing Auto. Talks between Changfeng and Guangzhou Auto have been reportedly going on for over a year, Changfeng currently produces trucks for the Peoples Liberation Army, as well as certain Mitsubishi SUV’s from CKD kits imported from Japan. By gaining control of Changfeng, Guangzhou sets to gain Changfengs automobile production factories which are located in the South of China. Changfeng have also been linked to buying the stricken Hummer brand from General Motors, although new further news on this situation has risen.
Guangzhou Auto executives will be feeling confident about purchasing Changfeng Auto, as a recent press release showed that Guangzhou Auto was sitting pretty after making over 6 Billion RMB profit in the first six months of 2008.
Mitsubishi have been losing money in the Chinese automarket place in recent years, with the takeover of Changfeng, Mitsubishi will get a certain amount of time in which to restructure their Chinese market offerings.
Published by Ash August 6th, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
Changfeng have launched a new model named the DUV, if you’re confused and wondering what DUV actually means you can stop scratching your head; it means Driving Utillity Vehicle. Perhaps Changfeng top brass think the SUV branding is a little stale now, and came up with a new one alongside SUV, CUV, CRV etc etc.
The DUV, despite its name, is still pretty much the classic 1991-2000 second generation Mitsubishi Pajero. Mitubishi have a joint venture with Changfeng to make the Pajero range in China, and Changfeng supply the Pajero to the Peoples Liberation Army. China Car Times is currently unsure if the old style Pajero will continue to be produced, or if Changfeng will swap entirely over to the DUV.
The DUV is not so different from the original Pajero sizewise, the wheelbase measures 2725mm, 4775mm long, 1880mm wide, and 1890mm tall. The engine is a Mitsubishi supplied 2.3l model. Improvements have been made to the safety aspect of the car, as well as comfort and entertainment with the DUV getting an MP3 playing stereo as well.
The DUV will be priced at 130,980rmb and rising, not bad, but I think we’d be looking at some of Changfengs other offerings before spending our cash on this model.
Published by Ash May 13th, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
Despite the car not actually going into production yet, or being unlikely to be on sale until 2009, the Changfeng CP1A’s price has been leaked to the press - 50,00rmb, which makes it one of the best looking (in CCT’s humble opinion) and cheapest cars on the road. The downside to the 50k price tag is the engine size, a mere 1.3l, but we hear that there will be bigger ones on the way, including a 1.8l.
Changfeng are reportedly working on three platforms, CP1, CP2 and a CP3. As the model no may indicate, the above car is on the CP1 platform. Changfeng have spent over 2.5 billion RMB on developing these platforms, a model based on the CP3 platform is expected to be launched in 2010.
Mitsubishi, Changfeng’s joint venture partner in China, has reported that China is now its most important market in terms of sales and will be working very closely with Changfeng over the coming years to bring Mitsubishi cars into China, and to set up production in China. Mitsubishi is the second largest stake holder in Changfeng with a 14.9% share, however, Mitsubishi and Changfeng are reportedly working on a 50:50 joint venture plan which could see Changfeng building Mitsubishi cars for the Chinese market.
China Car Times really really hopes that Changfeng make the Evo.
Published by Ash May 9th, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
The Changfeng CP1A sedan that was unveiled at the last Beijing Automotive show is expected to be launched next year, rather than in 2008. The CP1A comes with a 1.8l Mitsubishi engine as the power plant which is a bit of a dissapointment for such a good looking automobile.
Good news is not far behind, Changfeng are also working on their own engine lines, so it could be that Changfeng actually have their own engine to put in by the time they get them onto the market.
If you ask China Car Times, this sedan is a lot better than their MPV and clearly compliments their CS7 SUV
This set of images of Chinas alleged ‘prettiest cleaning lady’ has been doing the rounds on various Chinese internet forums and websites for the past week. The pictures were taken at the Changfeng exhibition at last weeks Beijing Auto Show. The photographer, instead of taking the models pictures became entranced by the cleaning girls good looks and started to take her photos instead!
What do China Car Times readers think?
Published by Ash April 18th, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
Changfeng have been working on a little hatchback car, which is a complete breakaway from their usual SUV, and lately, MPV line up.
Information on this model is slim, very slim. We know that the engine is a 2.0l 1.8l model, possibly the Mitsubishi kind, the rear suspension is Macphearson strut, it has ABS, it has EBS too. What we do know is, that it should be launched next week!
We also like it, very much. Which way are CCT readers swinging on this one? Is it a hot hatch to give the VW Golf GTI a run for its money, or is it a wet fish in the style department?
Published by Ash April 17th, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
The Changfeng CS7 was spotted out testing again:
What can we say? The side profile is awesome, the back is nice, the front grill however? Well, its interesting to say the least! Overall, the design is very fresh, and on par with the Nissan Qashqai, so its quite a feat for a Chinese company who only recently got into the lucrative car market. Even though the above SUV’s are a limited production run, the body fit looks rather good. The CS7 reportedly has a 2.0l engine, from where, we do not currently know. We do know that at previous car shows the CS7 was shown with an automatic gearbox, which is unusual for Chinese SUV manufacturers who prefer the cheaper manual boxes.
We like this. Good work from Changfeng.
Published by Ash March 26th, 2008
in Changfeng Automobile.
Last time we mentioned a US-China Hummer connection, our comment boxes got filled with the cries of ‘clone!’ from our American friends, it seems the Chinese hummer got everyone worked up!
Another twist to the US-CN Hummer story, comes from Changfeng Motors. Changfeng Motors was set up my Chinese strongman, Chairman Mao, with the aim of producing
Changfeng has since branched out from truck making into making cars, it succesfully went to the Detroit show where it showed off its Liebao models. In the PRC Changfeng still make the ‘91 Mitsubishi Pajero for local (and military) consumers and also CKD kits of the newer Pajero from Japan. However, it plans to branch out again, this time into HUMMER parts! Changfeng and Hummer have signed a contract where Changfeng will be supplying chassis to the giant SUV and Changfeng will help Hummer with entering into the Chinese market, which has so far been limited to gray market imports.
Published by Ash October 16th, 2007
in Changfeng Automobile.
China Car Times is hearing that the Changfeng CS6 will be going on the market today, but we have no information as to what the price will be. The Changfeng concept vehicles were shown off in Beijing, Detroit, and Shanghai, Changfeng will most probably show off the finished product at Guangzhou auto show later this year.
As usual, the CS6 will come with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, the petrol being a Mitsubishi supplied motor, however the petrol model is limited to a 4×2 2.3 model where as the diesel is a 4×4 2.5 model.
As and when China Car Times obtains more information about this vehicle, we will keep you updated.
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