Published by Ash August 4th, 2008
in Europestar.
They have 3000 mu of land, invested 100 billion RMB and have plans to make 150,000 cars per year. Jinan Youngman have big plans, plans that include making a sports sedan, and an MPV/SUV combo.
From their Tai’an production base, Youngman plan to become a leader in their segment, however, as a relative newcomer to an already ‘established’ market, can they pull off what the big boys like Renault failed to do in the PRC? Possibly, and then again, possibly not.
Sales of the recently launched Europa RCR compact sports sedan are far from well, with them averaging around 30 cars per month. Hardly breakthrough territory. How will the new Lotus developed Proton cars, which are rebadged Europa for the Chinese market going to hit the big time in China? China Car Times can guess that selling them at high prices that are usually associated with the popular Ford Focus type compact cars cannot help their sales figures, it seems the Europa, or rather Youngman, are trading on the fame of the Lotus branding, which may not actually be all that famous in China. China didnt really have a car culture until the year 2000, and models from Lotus have yet to hit the roads en masse in the PRC.
Perhaps what Europestar really need to do is, have a proper think about their marketing plan and sales plan, then come back to the table once they have altered their price tags down to the likes of Great Wall, Chery, etc. Only this way, could they guarantee themselves sales above 30 cars per month.
Published by Ash January 16th, 2008
in Europestar.
Chinas latest auto brand to hit the roads of the Glorious PRC,the ‘Europestar’ was launched on Saturday in Beijing.
The first car, the Proton Gen2, Lotus RCR, is part of an OEM deal that parent company, Neoplan, signed with Proton. The cars are currently being imported from Malaysia, but in the future they will be complete knock down kits (CKD) that will be reassembled in China.
The excellent looking vehicle caused a stir with its launch - receiving 3800 orders within the first 6 days. China Car Times has yet to see this car, or its dealerships, but it is on sale now priced at 120,980rmb to 140,980rmb. The 1.3l model that is available in the UK markets has been dropped from the scenes, Europestar only offers the 1.6 model in China with either an automatic or manual gearbox to choose from.
We reckon the Europestar will give the Brilliance Coupe a run for its money.
You can see pictures of the RCR in this post.
Published by Ash January 2nd, 2008
in Europestar.
Previously on China Car Times we reported that the Proton Gen2 racer was to be made in China, however, recent reports from various Malaysian motor websites have indicated that the Gen2 racer, (since renamed the Europestar) is actually being shipped from Malaysia.
Recent reports have said that 1600 Gen2 racers left Malaysian ports destined for China, could it be that the Gen2 is being sent as part of an OEM deal for Jinhua Youngman to get into the car making game? Now it certainly seems that way, Proton and Youngman inked a contract saying that they will create (or rather supply now) 8 cars over the next 4 years.
China Car Times was originally under the impression that the Proton Gen2 was renamed Europestar for the Chinese market, as Chinese people really cant say Gen2, but now it seems more like Europestar is actually Chinas latest brand to hit the road.
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