Category: Chinese manufacturers

China first quarter saloon sales figures
Here are the results of saloon sales for the first quarter of 2008 in China.
As usual the Shanghai VW Santana(pictured) takes the first rank followed by the Buick Excelle. Another VW, the Jetta, ranks third. The first Chinese car ranks fifth with the Tianjin FAW Xiali whiel the small Chery QQ gets the sixth place thanks. Volkswagen also records a tenteh rank for the Passat GP. In total, Volkswagen holds three of the top ten sales. Japanese carmakers have two models, while the American carmakers have only one model.
1. Shanghai VW – Santana – 69,214
2. Shanghai GM – Excelle – 62,750
3. FAW VW – Jetta – 61,202
4. Guangzhou Toyota – Camry – 54,123
5. Tianjin FAW Xiali – Xiali – 48,421
6. Chery – QQ – 46,251
7. FAW-Haima – Family – 45,352
8. Guangzhou Honda – Accord – 42,160
9. Beijing Hyundai – 41,556
10. Shanghai VW – Passat GP – 36, 865
May 17, 2008
MG to launch a new TF in 2010
SAIC is determined to become a major player on the European market thanks to the MG and Roewe labels. After the promising 550 saloon unveiled at the recent Beijing Motor Show, the Chinese carmaker plans to launch an all-new MG TF according to Auto Express.
Expected in 2010, the future roadster, presented as the roadster of the next decade by the magazine, will also be available as a coupé. it will take its styling cues from the MG SV and X80 models. Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Roewe 550, the future model will be a rear-wheel drive vehicle. Two petrol engines will be available, a turbocharged 1.8-litre unit and a 2.5-litre V6 unit, both from former Rover.
Without a doubt, the future roadster/coupé will be sold at a competitive price, competing with the Mazda MX-5. a bit larger than the Japanese roadster, the next TF will also try to compete with the more expensive Alfa Romeo Spider and the Audi TT.
May 8, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live: Landwind X6 CRDI
Landwind has shown its commitment to Europe by unveiling a diesel-powered model at the motor show.
The Chinese carmaker is famous for a scary crash test in which the X6 model got no stars at all. Since then the company upgraded its SUV which is now called X9 in Chine and X-pedition in Europe. The car is expected to go on sale in France from this year, but without a diesel, the ageing SUV will never meet a sufficient demand to be imported.
The Landwind X-pedition CRDI is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine outsourced from the Italian company VM. It delivers a power output of 142bhp. The X-pedition is a clone of the old Vauxhall Frontera.
April 26, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live: Geely Tiger GT
Here are the live pictures of the Geely Tiger GT which is a singular model among all those serious saloons and compacts unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show.
The Tiger GT is powered by a 225bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and sits on 19in wheels. The carmaker has no plan to derive a potential model for production.
April 26, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live: ChangAn concept «Hydrogen»
The ChangAn Hydrogen Concept looked interesting when the carmaker announced it for Beijing but the reality looks like more a DIY than a serious car.
If this Hydrogen Concept looks a bit amateurish, the carmaker is really serious about it. Like the 7-Series “Hydrogen 7”, the ChangAn Hydrogen Concept is powered by a hydrogen solution which enables the car to achieve a 140 miles range.
At 4,600 mm long, the ChangAn only weighs 750kg and achieves a nice Cx of 0.28 according to the carmaker. The top speed is 140mph and the ChangAn Hydrogen Concept runs the 0-62moph in just 6.5 seconds.
April 26, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live: GAC Guanqi CC Concept
Guangzhou Automobile Company, GAC in short, has unveiled a convertible called Guanqi CC at the Beijing Motor Show.
While other carmakers tries to move upmarket by unveiling larger saloons in an attempt to take on western luxury models, GAC has decided to take an alternative path. The carmaker takes the leisure path with the Guanqi CC. The convertible has the merit not to copy western models and the final result is promising for the future. The Quanci features unique dual-tone alloy wheels.
Like many carmakers, GAC engineers chose to adopt a folding roof which requires the boot to be opened during operation.
April 26, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : Chery Faira
While most carmakers unveils a few models, Chey has unveiled a family of small vehicles: BB, NN, HH, JJ and YY.
The Faira family is Chery’s serious attempt to drown the small car market segment with a single platform and a single engine, but with a raft of variants as the Faira models will be powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine.
The BB is a small three-door hatchback roomy enough for two persons which will compete with the Great Wall Bubble and perhaps the Smart which will arrive in China next year.
The NN is small car available in three door and five door variants. This model offers similar dimensions to the Twingo’s.
The HH is an attempt to add a saloon to the lineup and competes with the QQ6 also built by Chery.
The JJ is a SUV variant. One doesn’t expect this model to have off-road credentials. However, Mitsubishi sells the Mini-Pajero in Japan which as good mud abilities.
The YY is the sporty model which is available as a coupé and a convertible.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : Citroën C-Elysée
Citroen has unveiled a new iteration of the C-Elysee which is based on the old ZX.
Already reported by Petrol-Head, the Elysee is a more luxury version of the Fukang. Despite sharing the same platform, the Elysee takes its styling cues from the C5 model. On the inside, Citroen kept the dashboard of the Xsara, but added wooden panels that Chinese customers cherish.
Citroen also displayed a gas-powered version at Beijing.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : Nissan Livina C-Gear
Nissan has unveiled the Livina C-Gear at Beijing expanding its lineup in order to boost its sales in China.
A five-seater, the C-Gear is sportier than the normal Livina and comes with large plastic wheelarches and a new front bumper. On the inside, the C-Gear features a black interior with silver panels. the boot has a capacity up to 383 litres.
The Livina C-Gear is powered by a 100bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine which can be hooked up to a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Inported in Europe, the Livina C-Gear would be a cheap competitor to the Renault Scenic Conquest and the Volkswagen CrossTouran, but Nissan will only sell it in Asia and in South Africa.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live: FAW-VW New Bora
FAW-VW has unveiled its latest creation, the new Bora saloon set to compete with the new SAIC-VW Lavida.
Chinese car sector is a very complex business where it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Volkswagen has two joint ventures with SAIC and FAW which competes with each other. Unlike the Lavida which is rumoured to share its underpinnings with the Passat, this Bora is based on the Polo platform.
Surprisingly, the VW-FAW Bora retains the same wheelbase as the Lavida, but it’s shorter by 54 mm at 4,540 mm. The exterior styling is also different as the Bora takes its styling cues from the Jetta.
Like its VW Shanghai counterpart, the new Bora will be available with a choice of two 4-cylinder petrol engines that can be paired to either a manual or a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The new Bora will be available in China in two trim levels "Trendline" and "Comfortline".
Standard features include ABS, front passenger airbags, power steering, power windows, climate control system and a CD-Radio. The top version Comfortline adds 15in alloy wheels, sliding sunroof, chrome package, anti-theft warning system, and cruise control and parking sensors.
April 25, 2008