Published by Ash October 24th, 2008
in Tianjin Xiali.
Tianjin FAW have reportedly bought the 9th generation Toyota Corolla platform, which FAW plan to use to build their own range of cars on, possibly the Besturn range rather than Hong Qi. Media reports state that FAW is planning to make an A-segment sedan, but with the B50 already close to production, we’re unsure what use the Corolla platform might actually come to be, although chances are it may come out as a straight FAW brand, like the Weichi or the rebranded last generation Yaris, which also eventually wore FAW-Tianjin badging.
Reports say the Corolla inspired motor will be in production by 2010, and FAW want to sell 120,000 of them.
Published by Ash January 29th, 2008
in Tianjin Xiali.
The Xia Li N3 saloon (and hatchback) are possibly the main staple car sales for Xia Li cars. The N3 has been on the market for quite some time, and has been given a friendlier face for 2008.
The new and updated Xia Li N3 uses a 1.0l engine that has been updated to make it sales friendly for Beijing - Beijing has recently enforced a rule stating that all cars sold in the Beijing area must be up to Chinese 3 or higher emissions standards. The new Xia Li N3 has reached Chinese 5 emissions standards, so it looks the N3 will be getting back on the Beijing market before you know it.
We still like the hoon who put the 2.0L twin cam into his Xia Li hatchback.
Published by Ash November 13th, 2007
in Tianjin Xiali.
Only one other Chinese automaker has built a plant in North America, Zhongxing got in there early with their announcement, but the second player to get into Mexico will be none other than FAW’s sub brand, Xia Li.
Xia Li have signed up with a currently unknown Mexican partner and will be ready to start construction on the plant by the end of this month. Xia Li were origninally aiming for the Russian market, but due to recent restrictons on Chinese auto manufacturers in the country Xia Li decided to go opt for Mexico.
The first vehicle to be manufactured in Mexico via the partnership will be the Xia Li Weizhi priced around 13,000USD.
Published by Ash August 28th, 2007
in Tianjin Xiali.
You may, or may not have heard that in 2008, Beijing will hold the Olympic games for the first time. One problem though - the pollution. Its been talked about, its been gossiped about, but most of all its been over exaggerated, a lot. Sure Beijing is dirty, but it aint that dirty that you have to keep your athletes in Seoul, Korea, (presumably the cleanest city, in the world) and fly them into Beijing as and when they are needed (we’re thinking of the USA team here, thanks for adding to the pollution, guys) Beijing has gotten tough on air pollution as of late, it banned a million cars from the roads, then it set up a system where cars with odd or even numbered license plates could enter the city on which day (we have no idea how the odd/even thing works) the central government even banned 444 different vehicles from being produced! One more Beijing city government has done is to enact a law stating that cars with less than level 3 emissions standards cannot be sold within the city limits, lots of trouble for Xia Li then. There best selling mini car, the N3, doesnt meet Chinese level 3 emissions levels, (it probably doesn’t meet any level), so Tianjin Xia Li have quietly pulled it from the market in Beijing.
Published by Ash August 13th, 2007
in Tianjin Xiali and Chinese Car News.
Last week we talked about the Geely Mei Ri which has recently dropped its pricing to become very competitive in the super cheap motoring sector. The Xia Li N3 has gone under an engine upgrade and now starts at 30,000rmb - marginally more expensive than the Geely (by a single dollar) The N3 has changed from the TJ376 and the TJ378 to the newer, better CA3GA2 engine. The CA3GA2 engine was developed by Tianjin themselves, using the two previous engines as a base and then modifying them significantly for the modern market.
This particular Xia Li comes in either saloon, or hatchback format and has sold very well in many Chinese cities, the main buyers are motorists on a budget and who those who are eager to get into the drivers seat but cant afford much more.
As we said with the Mei Ri, keep on motoring, Xia Li.
Published by Ash February 9th, 2007
in Tianjin Xiali and Chinese Car News.
This is for the those that say we dont post good things about Chinese cars 
First things first, this car was a rental car, it was approximately six months old and had only done 10,000km so it was reasonably ‘new’ when we got our hands on it. Further understanding of Xia Li is required before we go further. Xia Li is a subsidery of automobile giant FAW - First Automobile Works in Tianjin city, China. FAW has some mighty connections, and deep pockets. They have joint ventures with several Japanese and Western manufacturers in China, Toyota and VW are their biggest partners. It would come as no surprise for anyone to learn that the Xiali Wei Le (English name is Xiali Vela) is a legal carbon copy of the 2006 Toyota Vios, a model that only seems to be available in Asia. Xia Li really have come along way from their boxy autos of the late 90’s, they seem to heading into automobile foray with quite a stride in their new range of Toyota aided cars. Click continue reading to find out more.
Continue reading ‘Tianjin Xia Li Wei Le - Xiali Vela Test Drive Review’
Published by Ash December 11th, 2006
in Tianjin Xiali and Chinese Car News.
Brave enough to put a 2.0L Twin Cam Toyota engine into a tiny, tiny, Xia Li hatchback. It looks like they standard off with a reasonably standard Xia Li, just changing the alloy wheels and the front skirting to start with, then they get all crazy and drop the 2.0L Toyota engine in there.
Published by Ash November 13th, 2006
in SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile, Shake Ring Motorcycle, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, Roewe - Rong Wei, Nanjing Automobile Corporation, Honda Automobile China, Jiangling Motors, Miles automotive group, Shanghai GM, Shanghai Maple Guorun Automobile, Zhongxing, Fake Chinese Cars, Maple Leaf, Zhengzhou Yutong Bus, Volkswagen Group China, Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor, Soueast Motors, Tianjin Xiali, Heibao, Hafei Motor, Changfeng Automobile, Changhe, Chery Automobile, Chang'an Suzuki, Chang'an Motors, Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive, Brilliance/Zhonghua Auto, Chang'an Ford, Dadi Auto, Dongfeng Automobile Company, First Automobile Works, Geely Automobile, Great Wall Motors, Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company, Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Company, Dongfeng Motor Company and BYD Auto.
Check out this Chinese TV commercial for Zhong Hua, via Youtube, here’s another.
Have to say, Zhong Hua’s cars are looking great - it must be the BMW input!
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