Archive for the ‘First Automobile Works’ category
Besturn B90 spotted out testing, possibly Mazda6 based
It’s still unclear if FAW are continuing with the Besturn name, or if the cars will fall under the more prestigious Hong Qi (Red Flag) branding, but it seems that the FAW are still working on model building with this B90 that has been spotted out testing: The Chinese automotive media are convinced that the [...]
FAW developing Audi A6 fighter
The history of Red Flag goes back to the 1950′s when the triumphant Mao set about building the new China, he ordered the then First Automobile Works (FAW) to set about making a sedan that was fit for a Chairman, FAW delivered and gave Mao the CA71 sedan which was Soviet based, and oddly under [...]
FAW-Toyota aiming for sales of 500,000 vehicles this year
When Western consumers were worried about the car in front being a Toyota due to the breaking issue that plagued Toyota at the beginning of the year, the admission from Toyota that they did have quality problems was seen as a major plus by Chinese consumers who appreciated the rare glimpse of honesty from a [...]
Plugin Toyota Prius to be made in China
The Toyota Prius has never been a major seller for Toyota in China, in fact it is probably a major point of profit loss for FAW-Toyota that produce the car in China. Initial sales started high but gradually tapered off to an all time low, with just 197 Prius being built in China in 2009, [...]
FAW’s Xenia MPV spotted out testing
FAW are putting, or rather forcing, a new lease of life into the Xenia MPV which they first brought into China with their former joint venture partner Daihatsu. Daihatsu recently unexpectedly quit the Chinese market and left its IPR to FAW who have since continued to make the Xenia MPV but under their own brand [...]
FAW-VW Going South Together Hand in Hand
First Automobile Work FAW-VW are planning to invest 8 billion RMB into the venture, which will be online by 2013 and be able to produce 300,000 cars per year, some of which will be exported to South Asian countries, making the VW the third company behind Honda and BMW to export Chinese made cars to [...]
Besturn B70 becomes FAW B70
It appears that the short lived Besturn brand from First Automobile Works (FAW) has finally been killed off and been given the FAW badge instead. Besturn was never going to be a great name for car, with it either being Best Urn or Bes Turn, but more likely to be the first one of the [...]
Facelift Jetta rolls off the line, but with only 3 models available are its days numbered?
As always mentioned on CCT, the VW Jetta has a very special place in Chinese consumers hearts, its bought by civillians and government departments alike, and not forgetting the all important taxi fleets. The Jetta is loved for its cheap price, and seemingly indestructibility. The Jetta is built by FAW-VW in Changchun and has been [...]
Toyota Reiz/MarkX facelift version spotted out testing
The Toyota Reiz has proven to be a popular choice to the ever well selling Toyota Camry in China. The Camry is the front wheel drive stable sedan, where as the Reiz is the rear wheel drive power house that the salary man with an automotive heart chooses to buy. The Reiz was first introduced [...]
Chinese built Audi Q5 to launch in April
Audi understands that the Chinese market is one of the largest markets in the world for its cars, the people simply adore those four shiny interlaced rings, the Audi A4 and A6 have become the car of choice for China’s mid to upper level middle class as well as the ruling elite. Early last year [...]
Facelift Toyota Vios spotted out testing
The Toyota Vios is aimed squarely at developing nations, which previously meant that all developing nation cars had to be bland hatchbacks with a sedan trunk bolted on as an after thought, the Toyota Vios has abandoned this train of thought. The facelift Vios appears to be a seriously nice vehicle, although it is thought [...]
No suprises here: Audi sales soaring in China, leaving BMW and Merc trailing behind
Sales of Audi vehicles in China reached an impressive 16,798 vehicles in January 2010, compared to 7,816 vehicles in January 2009 which looks like an excellent start to 2010 for VAG groups premium brand. Audi’s 2009 total auto sales in China reached just over 160,000 vehicles in 2009, and with Audi predicting 2010 to be [...]
Facelift Jetta spotted out without camoflauge
The mark2 Jetta must hold a very special place in China’s heart, its a car that refuses to pass on into automotive heaven and instead is used as a taxi and cheap strong transport across the PRC. The mk2 Jetta has been in production in China from 1991, and looks like it will be in [...]
Toyota to recall 75552 RAV4′s in China
FAW-Toyota, the JV between First Automobile Works and Toyota, are planning to recall a staggering 75552 RAV4 SUV models which were only recently launched in China due to the international accelerator problems that have affected the company worldwide. The factory responsible for producing the RAV4, Tianjin FAW-Toyota, have already suspended production of the vehicle until [...]
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 [...]
Daihatsu quits China!
Daihatsu was was one of the early players in China, and soon set up shop with local players to produce the iconic kei van, which became the mian bao che in China, then they set about building Charades in partnership with Tianjin Xiali, many of which still ride the streets of Tianjin en masse every [...]
VW Golf GTI to launch in March, priced at 220,000rmb
The Chinese produced Golf GTI is set to launch in March this year and will be priced at 220,000rmb and rising according to this mornings media reports. The Golf GTI is VW’s attempt to crack open a niche hot hatch market that has yet to materialize in the Peoples Republic. The GTI will be produced [...]
Got eight million RMB spare? Get yourself a state limosuine
The producers of the Hong Qi state limousine that Chairman Hu used at the 2009 review of the troops is set to be produced in limited numbers for civilian use, however the price is not for the common proletariat with the price tag a staggering 8 million RMB (1.17 million USD). As you can see [...]
FAW-Mazda launch 2.0L Mazda in China
The new Mazda6 is actually The latest generation of the popular Mazda6 was launched in China earlier this year with the Olympic hero Michael Phelphs at the helm of the advertising campaign which showed his powerful swimming stance compared to the Mazda 6′s front end. It’s not entirely clear if his face has lead the [...]
New Prius spotted out testing in China, due to launch next year
The next generation Toyota Prius has been spotted out testing in China, the Prius is currently in production via the FAW-Toyota JV in North East China, and has not seen spectacular sales since its launch. The Prius biggest short coming is its high price of around 200,000rmb to 250,000rmb, making it a perfect car for [...]
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