Autoblog China http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog China http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff RossThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[China continues foreign automotive investment incentives after all]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/china-continues-foreign-automotive-investment-incentives-after-a/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/china-continues-foreign-automotive-investment-incentives-after-a/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/china-continues-foreign-automotive-investment-incentives-after-a/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Buick and China flags fly at dealership

China has reversed a policy that would have nixed incentives for investments from foreign automakers, paving the way for further expansion by General Motors, Volkswagen and others. Legislators had removed automotive manufacturing from the list of industries that would receive government support in the future, but foreign investment fell off significantly in April. The country's National Development and Reform Commission responded by not only reinstating foreign automotive investment but by giving the business "preferential treatment," according to Automotive News. Last year, China's central and western regions attracted $19.2 billion in foreign investment across the board.

With China serving as the world's largest automotive market, manufacturers are keen to make inroads in the region. The local government incentivised foreign-owned manufacturing plants for some seven years before the National Development and Reform Commission removed the industry from its approved list in an attempt to stave off overcapacity. Automotive News reports GM and VW have both invested heavily in the region, with the latter set to begin construction on an all-new facility. The new plant is part of a $13 billion investment in China and will join Volkswagen's 12 other car and component facilities in the region.

China continues foreign automotive investment incentives after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinachinese auto marketchinese carschinese governmentgeneral motorsgminvestmentnational development and reform commissionvw Thu, 23 May 2013 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575202/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575202/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/23/china-continues-foreign-automotive-investment-incentives-after-a/20575202/article-detail.xml 20575202 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/buick-and-china-flag-at-dealer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/buick-and-china-flag-at-dealer.jpg <![CDATA[Farley says Lincoln learnings in China could influence brand in US]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/farley-says-lincoln-learnings-in-china-could-influence-brand-in/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/farley-says-lincoln-learnings-in-china-could-influence-brand-in/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/farley-says-lincoln-learnings-in-china-could-influence-brand-in/#comments Filed under: ,

2013 Lincoln MKZ - front three-quarter view

Automotive News reports Lincoln is looking to Chinese luxury shoppers for customer service ideas. Those notions may eventually make their way back to the US in the form of new dealership training. Jim Farley, the executive vice president of global marketing for Ford, tells Automotive News, "In many ways, China will be a listening post for Lincoln in the United States. Soon China will be the largest luxury market in the world." Farley also said that in China, the Lincoln brand is currently where Lexus was when the Japanese brand first landed in the US.

Lincoln is slated to open its first Chinese dealerships in 2014. The brand is largely unknown in Asia, and Lincoln representatives have been visiting other luxury dealers in China for an idea of what buyers there expect. Lincoln has also studied non-automotive luxury shopping, paying special attention to high-end retail branding.

Of course, this whole song and dance feels awfully familiar. Lincoln has focused heavily on remaking the brand and recrafting its marketing here in the States, thus far without sufficient product to back the play. Lincoln is already late to the China game, and without the necessary products to lure buyers away from established bodies like Buick and Cadillac, Lincoln may be doomed to repeat its fate here in the US.

Farley says Lincoln learnings in China could influence brand in US originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinajim farleylincolnlincoln motor company Tue, 14 May 2013 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567873/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567873/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/farley-says-lincoln-learnings-in-china-could-influence-brand-in/20567873/article-detail.xml 20567873 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lincoln-mkz-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lincoln-mkz-628.jpg <![CDATA[Nicolas Cage flogs Saab-based Senova from Beijing Auto [w/video]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

BAIC Nicholas Cage

BAIC has officially pulled the covers off of its new Senova D Series sedan for China. The four-door is based on the old Saab 9-5 and boasts a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Local buyers can get their hands on the machine for around $22,745 at current conversion rates. Other engine options include a turbocharged 1.8-liter four cylinder as well as turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, and a wide range of safety equipment comes standard on every trim except the very base model. Those goodies include a tire pressure monitoring system, active head restraints, blind spot detection, driver fatigue detection and parking sensors.

The Senova nameplate serves every model based on former Saab architectures, including the Epsilon, GM2900 and GM2400 platforms as well as engine and transmission tech. In order to promote its new products, BAIC has hired Hollywood staple Nicolas Cage to serve as the company's brand ambassador. Cage stars in the Senova-heavy Town of Car Legends action-packed video short (directed by Olivier Megaton of Transporter 3 and Taken 2 fame) which you can view by scrolling below.

Continue reading Nicolas Cage flogs Saab-based Senova from Beijing Auto [w/video]

Nicolas Cage flogs Saab-based Senova from Beijing Auto [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> baicchinanic cagenicolas cageolivier megatonsaabsaab 9-5senovasenova d-seriesshenbaovideo Mon, 13 May 2013 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566463/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566463/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/nicolas-cage-seen-stunting-saab-based-senova-from-beijing-auto/20566463/article-detail.xml 20566463 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/baic-nicholas-cage-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/baic-nicholas-cage-628.jpg <![CDATA[Chinese patent filing shows what could be next Royal Limo from Jaguar]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/chinese-patent-filing-shows-what-could-be-next-royal-limo-from-j/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/chinese-patent-filing-shows-what-could-be-next-royal-limo-from-j/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/chinese-patent-filing-shows-what-could-be-next-royal-limo-from-j/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Someone filed a patent application in China for the Jaguar XJ limousine seen above, but no one's sure who filed it or what the car is for. One camp thinks it's a State limo for UK royals like the Bentley State Limousine, another camp thinks it's the work of aftermarket coachbuilders.

One thing's for sure: Assuming it ever gets made, anyone who buys it wants an XJ in name only; the modifications have removed almost all of the grace of the standard sedan. Estimated to be more than three feet longer than an XJ, the stretched rear doors are backed by an even more stretched rear section that, in losing the trademark XJ C-pillar (the D-pillar on this car), adds all sorts of ungainliness to its backside. What's more, the roof rises from front to rear, we can only assume to make room for people with large hats. Or the NBA player that the Chinese call "Sweet Melon."

Head over to AutoSohu for more photos from the application, if you're sure that's what you really want.

Chinese patent filing shows what could be next Royal Limo from Jaguar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 May 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinajaguarjaguar xjjaguar xj limousinelimopatentpatent application Fri, 10 May 2013 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20564550/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20564550/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/10/chinese-patent-filing-shows-what-could-be-next-royal-limo-from-j/20564550/article-detail.xml 20564550 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jaguar-royal-limo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/jaguar-royal-limo.jpg <![CDATA[Ferrari looking to become even more exclusive]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/ferrari-looking-to-become-even-more-exclusive/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/ferrari-looking-to-become-even-more-exclusive/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/ferrari-looking-to-become-even-more-exclusive/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,



While most automakers are clawing and scratching for every possible sale, it sounds like Ferrari is content in losing a few potential customers in the name of better exclusivity and higher profits. Autocar reports that Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo recently stated that the Italian automaker hopes to sell fewer than 7,000 units globally in 2013 compared to last year's tally of 7,318.

As a part of this plan, Ferrari will be slowing its production lines and trying to create a balanced market for its cars in the US, the Middle East, Europe and China - the latter two being the automaker's biggest markets. Montezemolo also said that Ferrari would not be expanding its model lineup with SUVs, sedans or small cars.

Ferrari looking to become even more exclusive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> ferrariferrari productionferrari salesluca di montezemolo Thu, 09 May 2013 17:46:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20563663/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20563663/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/ferrari-looking-to-become-even-more-exclusive/20563663/article-detail.xml 20563663 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-ferrari-f12-berlinetta-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2013-ferrari-f12-berlinetta-fd.jpg <![CDATA[GM to build $1.3 billion Cadillac plant in China]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/gm-build-cadillac-plant-china/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/gm-build-cadillac-plant-china/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/gm-build-cadillac-plant-china/#comments Filed under: , , ,



General Motors has gotten approval to build a $1.3 billion manufacturing facility for its Cadillac brand in China. China's National Development and Reform Commission signed off on plans for GM to build the plant in the country's Shanghai's Jinqiao zone; construction is expected to begin in June of this year. According to a Bloomberg report, the plant will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 units.

No surprise here, but Cadillac would like to sell a lot more cars in the plush Chinese luxury market. The brand moved only 30,010 cars in China last year, compared with 400k for Audi, and about 330k for BMW. With Cadillac already telling us that it would be moving production of its XTS sedan to China - a production decision that saves having to pay 25-percent import tariffs - approval of the factory is a critical win for the company.

In fact, according to earlier comments by GM China president Bob Socia, it's at least conceivable that Chinese-built Cadillacs could be shipped back to the US for sale. The brave new world of globalization, getting stranger by the minute.

GM to build $1.3 billion Cadillac plant in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 May 2013 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> cadillaccadillac xtschinageneral motorsgm Wed, 08 May 2013 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20562283/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20562283/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/gm-build-cadillac-plant-china/20562283/article-detail.xml 20562283 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cadillac-xts-china-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cadillac-xts-china-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM apologizing for this Chevy Trax ad dubbed 'racist' [UPDATE]]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/gm-apology-for-racist-chevrolet-trax-ad-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/gm-apology-for-racist-chevrolet-trax-ad-video/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/gm-apology-for-racist-chevrolet-trax-ad-video/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Controversial Chevrolet Trax ad - screencap

In what can only be described as a growing trend, another automaker finds itself in trouble for an ad that critics are calling offensive. A new television and internet ad for the Chevrolet Trax subcompact crossover is under fire for its soundtrack, which a Chinese newspaper has labeled "racist."

The commercial blends the not-sold-in-the-US vehicle with a Flapper-era backdrop and soundtrack, and it's the latter that has General Motors spokeswoman Ryndee Carney issuing an on-the-record apology to Advertising Age: "Our intent was not to offend anyone and we're deeply sorry if anyone was offended... we're reviewing our advertising approval processes to make sure this doesn't happen again." The song in question, Booty Swing, is performed by Austrian DJ and producer Parov Stelar, refers to "the land of Fu Manchu" a place in which the girls sing "ching, ching, chop-suey." The South China Morning Post was among the first to publish a story criticizing the commercial as racist.

The ad, known as The Original Reborn, has been running in Canada - where the vehicle is on sale - and AdAge also reports that it has been featured on the automaker's European websites. Since the controversy erupted, Chevrolet has since substituted a new version of the ad that omits the lyrics, but you can view the original by scrolling below.

Controversial ads are nothing new for this industry, but there has been a bumper crop of them lately, including a recent Hyundai suicide-themed spot and a series of Indian-market Ford print ads featuring celebrity caricatures making light of S&M-tinged kidnappings.

UPDATE: A video of the song itself has been added below - it spells out the lyrics in question.

Continue reading GM apologizing for this Chevy Trax ad dubbed 'racist' [UPDATE]

GM apologizing for this Chevy Trax ad dubbed 'racist' [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 chevy traxbanned adsbooty swingchevychevy traxcontroversial adsoriginal rebornparov stelarvideo Thu, 02 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20556212/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20556212/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/gm-apology-for-racist-chevrolet-trax-ad-video/20556212/article-detail.xml 20556212 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chevy-trax-controversial-ad_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/chevy-trax-controversial-ad.jpg <![CDATA[Production Volkswagen Taigun crossover caught in patent filing?]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/production-volkswagen-taigun-crossover-caught-in-patent-filing/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/production-volkswagen-taigun-crossover-caught-in-patent-filing/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/production-volkswagen-taigun-crossover-caught-in-patent-filing/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Taigun patent filings - front three-quarter view

Volkswagen brought an angular, bulldog-like small crossover concept called Taigun to the São Paulo motor show last year, claiming that it wanted to gauge interest in the design before making a decision about production. If a new report with alleged leaked patent images is to be believed, then, interest must have been pretty high.

China's Auto.Sohu.com has published this group of Taigun images, claiming that they have been sourced from the Chinese patent office and that the subcompact VW utility based on the Up! has been cleared for production.

If all of that is true, and if these images are representative of the final product, you'll see that designers haven't done much to alter the concept car's appearance. Comparing, shot for shot, with the images we have from Brazil, we see that even small details like roof rack-mounted lights and exhaust tips integrated in the rear fascia have been carried over. Take a closer look for yourself in the attached galleries.

Production Volkswagen Taigun crossover caught in patent filing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> sao paulo motor showvolkswagenvolkswagen taigunvwvw taigun Wed, 01 May 2013 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20554593/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20554593/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/production-volkswagen-taigun-crossover-caught-in-patent-filing/20554593/article-detail.xml 20554593 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volkswagen-taigun-patent-filings-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volkswagen-taigun-patent-filings-628.jpg <![CDATA[Jaguar's Callum refutes two XJ bodystyle rumor]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/jaguars-callum-refutes-two-xj-bodystyle-rumor/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/jaguars-callum-refutes-two-xj-bodystyle-rumor/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/jaguars-callum-refutes-two-xj-bodystyle-rumor/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Jaguar XJR sedan - front three-quarter view
Not long ago, we relayed word from Edmunds that Jaguar was planning to split its next-generation XJ sedan into two bodystyles - one model that continued the ambitious design approach fostered with the current X351-based model, and another, more upright model to better appeal to China's conservative design sensibilities.

We expressed some cynicism in the idea, noting that such a strategy "might catch more profits for the marque, but it might also represent a setback to design head Ian Callum's vision for a thoroughly modern Jaguar portfolio." Callum has been quite insistent in his belief that Jag needs to be a forward-thinking brand in terms of design, and the two-model strategy seemed to conflict with that idea. We tried to get some comment from Callum at that time, but were unable to reach him.

As it turns out, our skepticism was well-placed. Autocar says that while the next XJ will continue to have two wheelbases, Callum has denied the two-model talk, saying flatly: "I can't see us doing two bodystyles. The cost would be enormous and the message inconsistent. You have to believe in what you produce and to do two bodystyles would undermine that."

Jaguar's Callum refutes two XJ bodystyle rumor originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 jaguar xjian callumjaguarjaguar chinajaguar xjx351 Wed, 01 May 2013 17:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548674/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548674/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/jaguars-callum-refutes-two-xj-bodystyle-rumor/20548674/article-detail.xml 20548674 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/004-jaguar-xjr_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/004-jaguar-xjr.jpg <![CDATA[China bans military license plates on luxury autos]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/china-bans-military-license-plates-on-luxury-autos/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/china-bans-military-license-plates-on-luxury-autos/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/china-bans-military-license-plates-on-luxury-autos/#comments Filed under: , ,

Porsche Cayenne GTS with two Chinese models at Beijing Motor Show

Driving a vehicle with a military license plate in China provides many privileges. Legally reserved for official vehicles only, the designation apparently allows drivers to enjoy special liberties on the roads, including breaking traffic laws, filling up with free fuel and receiving light-and-siren escorts through congested cities. So attractive are the benefits that there is a secondary market for used legal and counterfeit plates - especially among those wealthy enough to afford luxury cars. But all of that is reportedly coming to an end, as President Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, is on a mission to fight corruption in his country.

A new license plate system goes into effect today, and it is designed to "maintain social harmony, stability and the reputation of the military," says the PLA Daily, the armed forces' official newspaper. While the abuse has been going on for many years, the internet has put the spotlight on the bad behavior, and the negative press does not represent the morals and true colors of the armed forces, say officials.

While military-plated Porsche drivers have been singled out as offenders, Bloomberg notes that all vehicles with engine displacements above 3.0 liters and with a sticker price in excess of about $73,000, will be banned from receiving military plates. This includes vehicles from Audi, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln and the Volkswagen Phaeton. Even if drivers are savvy enough to circumvent the new issuing system, the military has put technology at toll gates to catch users of counterfeit plates. There has been no word on the punishment if caught.

China bans military license plates on luxury autos originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinachina militarychina military plateschinese militarylicense platesmilitary license plateporsche Wed, 01 May 2013 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552127/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552127/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/china-bans-military-license-plates-on-luxury-autos/20552127/article-detail.xml 20552127 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/porsche-cayenne-gts-at-beijing-motor-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/porsche-cayenne-gts-at-beijing-motor-show.jpg <![CDATA[Reborn Ford Escort could make its way to Europe]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/reborn-ford-escort-could-make-its-way-to-europe/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/reborn-ford-escort-could-make-its-way-to-europe/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/reborn-ford-escort-could-make-its-way-to-europe/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,



The Ford Escort concept just unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show was created with the Chinese market in mind, but it's got people talking all over the world. Not purely fancy, the point of the Escort concept was to give Chinese buyers a preview of what they could expect to see in a Ford showroom in the near future. If Ford wasn't seriously considering the new Escort for other countries, a report in Auto Express indicates that the concept's reception has changed all that.

No less than the incoming chairman of Ford UK said "it could work in other places," bolstering the comments of "a senior Ford insider" who said the question of bringing the car to Europe to slot in underneath the Focus had been raised. That's a long way from anything of the kind happening, which would require Ford to figure out how to sell it for the right price and not torpedo the company reputation among Euro buyers. In any case, we'd be as intrigued as anyone if an Escort resurrection created the next 'who knew?' market segment of few-frills transportation offered by non-Asian carmakers.

Reborn Ford Escort could make its way to Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> europefordford escort conceptford ukuk Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:43:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548783/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548783/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/26/reborn-ford-escort-could-make-its-way-to-europe/20548783/article-detail.xml 20548783 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/ford-escort-europe_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/ford-escort-europe.jpg <![CDATA[BMW Shanghai: Driving in mega cities, designing the future and more]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/bmw-shanghai-driving-in-mega-cities-designing-the-future-and-m/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/bmw-shanghai-driving-in-mega-cities-designing-the-future-and-m/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/bmw-shanghai-driving-in-mega-cities-designing-the-future-and-m/#comments Filed under: , , ,



The BMW enclave is a suitable mix of high-tech and throwback cool.

A few days before the Shanghai Motor Show kicked off, we were part of an international group of media that was invited to have a look at the BMW Designworks Shanghai Studio and ConnectedDrive Lab facility. The building that BMW found to house its Chinese think tank is in a lovely part of Shanghai known as the former French Concession. The late 1890s and early 1900s French architectural style, brick-paved streets and tree-lined spaces feel a world apart from the ultra-modern heart of Shanghai, and the BMW enclave is a suitable mix of high-tech and throwback cool.

We were visiting, in short, to understand just why BMW has found it important to have design and research capability in China. As it turns out, answering those questions also served to shed some light on the Chinese auto market as a whole - what it looks like today and where it's going over the next few years.

Of course, the basic idea of developing new facilities and human resources in a foreign market is to be able to better design and build cars for that market. In terms of design, this isn't a new concept. In terms of BMW design, and more specifically its DesignworksUSA team, the concept has been a reality for more than ten years now. In Shanghai, the process is just getting going, with the BMW team getting a late start, setting up shop just last year.

Continue reading BMW Shanghai: Driving in mega cities, designing the future and more

BMW Shanghai: Driving in mega cities, designing the future and more originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> autonomous vehiclesbmwbmw designworksbmw designworks shanghaibmw designworksusachinafeaturedshanghai motor show Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548464/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548464/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/25/bmw-shanghai-driving-in-mega-cities-designing-the-future-and-m/20548464/article-detail.xml 20548464 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/bmw-shanghai-facility-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/bmw-shanghai-facility-628.jpg <![CDATA[Dodge Dart getting hatchback variant... sort of]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/dodge-dart-getting-hatchback-variant-sort-of/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/dodge-dart-getting-hatchback-variant-sort-of/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/dodge-dart-getting-hatchback-variant-sort-of/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Fiat Viaggio - front three-quarter view live

In other parts of the world, Fiat builds and sells a version of the Dodge Dart called the Viaggio, and it appears that in addition to the current sedan bodystyle, a new hatchback version of the car is also in the works. Autocar says that the general manager for China's Guangzhou-Fiat joint venture, John Burton, has confirmed that a new Viaggio hatchback will be revealed by the end of this year before it goes on sale in early 2014.

The Viaggio will soon be joined by the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, which in China will be called the Liberty Light, at the Guangzhou-Fiat plant. While the idea of a Dodge Dart hatchback might be enough to enable most of us to forget about the Dodge Caliber, a North American variant doesn't appear to be in the cards. We reached out to Chrysler PR boss Rick Deneau, and he offered a succinct: "No plans at this time."

Dodge Dart getting hatchback variant... sort of originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 fiat viaggiochinadodgedodge dartfiat viaggiofiat viaggio hatchback Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548292/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548292/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/25/dodge-dart-getting-hatchback-variant-sort-of/20548292/article-detail.xml 20548292 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webfiatviaggio5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/webfiatviaggio5.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz intros long-wheelbase E-Class for China]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class long-wheelbase - profile view

Long-wheelbase sedans are a pretty hot commodity in China, and to keep up with the competition, Mercedes-Benz has introduced an extended version of the 2014 E-Class sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show. Audi, BMW, Volvo and even Cadillac offer extended versions of sedans specific to the Chinese market, and now the E-Class L, shown off in E400L guise, will give luxury sedan buyers in China yet another option.

Compared to the standard 2014 E-Class sedan, the new China-spec E-Class L has been stretched by 5.5 inches - all of which goes to the rear-seat passengers. According to an article on China View from earlier in the year, the market for chauffeur-driven cars is growing in the Asian nation, so automakers need long-wheelbase models like the E-Class L in order to fully compete. As for what powers this stretched E-Class, it's available in three models: the diesel E260L, the V6-powered E300L and the E400 Hybrid.

The redesigned E-Class and the all-new A-Class are just the first of 20 new Mercedes-Benz products that will be introduced into the Chinese auto market by 2015. Scroll down for the full press release on long-wheelbase E.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz intros long-wheelbase E-Class for China

Mercedes-Benz intros long-wheelbase E-Class for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2014 mercedes-benz e-classlong-wheelbasemercedes-benzmercedes-benz e-classmercedes-benz e-class lwbmercedes-benz e-klasseshanghaishanghai 2013shanghai motor show Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547681/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547681/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/25/mercedes-benz-intros-long-wheelbase-e-class-for-china/20547681/article-detail.xml 20547681 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mercedes-benz-e-class-lwb-1366751968_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/mercedes-benz-e-class-lwb-1366751968.jpg <![CDATA[Qoros could finally be the Chinese brand to fear in the west]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Can Qoros Make A Difference Outside The Walls Of China?

Qoros badge

I know of no sober industry executive who fears a Chinese entry into the US.

Qoros is a venture between the Israeli Israel Corp. and state-owned Chinese company Chery. Chery, up to now, has been known mostly for "appropriating" western designs and having an ill-fated, ridiculous and half-baked venture with Malcolm Bricklin to bring Chery vehicles to the United States a few years ago. Bricklin was an original distributor of Subaru and Yugo in the US. The only people to find any success in that venture were the lawyers.

But what gets my attention now with Qoros is that the company seems to be addressing the cultural mistakes and barriers that have bedeviled every other Chinese automaker with aspirations to be successful beyond China. It is using non-Chinese executives - people with legitimate experience in the Western auto industry - in the areas of design, engineering and distribution.

Heretofore, I have been bored silly watching Chinese automakers like Chery, Great Wall and BYD either come to the Detroit Auto Show with a car, or strike some preposterous distribution deal with the hacks and ne'er-do-wells of the western auto retailing space. It's been all for naught. These cars and ventures have been so inept and awful that I know of no sober industry executive who fears a Chinese entry into the US.

Continue reading Qoros could finally be the Chinese brand to fear in the west

Qoros could finally be the Chinese brand to fear in the west originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinachinese carsdavid kileyopinionqorosqoros 3 sedan Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547570/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547570/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/qoros-could-finally-be-the-chinese-brand-to-fear-in-the-west/20547570/article-detail.xml 20547570 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/02qorosteasers_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/02qorosteasers.jpg <![CDATA[China's Great Wall aiming to sell vehicles in US around 2015]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/chinas-great-wall-aiming-to-sell-vehicles-in-us-around-2015/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/chinas-great-wall-aiming-to-sell-vehicles-in-us-around-2015/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/chinas-great-wall-aiming-to-sell-vehicles-in-us-around-2015/#comments Filed under: , , ,

Great Wall Motor Co. display at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show with pickup and camper

Stop us if you've heard this one before: "The Chinese are coming." According to Automotive News, Great Wall Motor Co. plans to sell its vehicles in the US by around 2015. The Chinese automaker has been researching its planned expansion for the last two years, looking at everything from regulatory hurdles to establishing a dealer network, as well as customer needs and wants.

Although it isn't immediately clear what models the company plans to market here in the US, it is apparently looking at establishing a factory stateside. The company currently sells its wares in 76 countries and regions around the globe, but has yet to attempt to crack the US or Canada. Great Wall may be China's largest purveyor of SUVs, but it has a full lineup of models to choose from - it brought 26 vehicles to last weekend's press day for the Shanghai Motor Show, including a stand-alone section for its Haval brand of SUVs.

Of course, the Asian nation's automakers have been promising to bring their vehicles to the US market for years now, but to date, not one has made a full-fledged effort. Not Chery, not Changfeng, not anybody. At the moment, the only Chinese-built cars sold in North America are Honda Fit models, and they are only available in Canada (however, General Motors recently opened the door to importing their own Chinese-built models).

Having said all that, Great Wall is one of China's most respected and most financially established automakers, and it has a lot of experience building factories in other markets (admittedly mostly knock-down plants), as well as exporting vehicles. It seems all but inevitable that Chinese automakers will eventually offer vehicles to US consumers in real volume, but for the moment, there's still a lot of debate about how quickly that reality will set in. To wit, a recent study by Bernstein Research suggested that Chinese automakers still have a decade or more of development before they will be able to field globally competitive products.

China's Great Wall aiming to sell vehicles in US around 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinese automakerschinese carsgreat wallgreat wall motorhavalshanghai motor show Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548323/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548323/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/chinas-great-wall-aiming-to-sell-vehicles-in-us-around-2015/20548323/article-detail.xml 20548323 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/great-wall-pickup-shanghai_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/great-wall-pickup-shanghai.jpg <![CDATA[Kia unveils Horki sub-brand in China, kicks off with concept car]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/kia-unveils-horki-sub-brand-in-china-kicks-off-with-concept-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/kia-unveils-horki-sub-brand-in-china-kicks-off-with-concept-car/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/kia-unveils-horki-sub-brand-in-china-kicks-off-with-concept-car/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Kia-DYK Horki Concept live at 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

While we were busy ogling new vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept, Maserati Ghibli and Hongqi L9 at the Shanghai Motor Show, Kia was busy unveiling an entire brand. Through its Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Yueda Kia (or DYK), the South Korean automaker has introduced its new Horki sub-brand and a concept car, simply called the Horki Concept.

The name Horki comes from the combination of two Chinese characters "Hor" and "Ki," which translates to "China driving." As this suggests, the brand will only be offered in China, and this concept sedan shares its platform with the 2014 Kia Forte. We didn't happen to catch the car live at the auto show, and apparently neither did Kia, since it only provided us with some drawings rather than live (or even studio) shots of the actual concept car. Thankfully, our friends at Newspress managed to ferret it out, so we have a couple of live pics to share after all.

Continue reading Kia unveils Horki sub-brand in China, kicks off with concept car

Kia unveils Horki sub-brand in China, kicks off with concept car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 shanghai motor showchinadongfeng yueda kiadykhorkihorki conceptkiakia ceratokia forteshanghaishanghai motor show Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547444/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547444/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/kia-unveils-horki-sub-brand-in-china-kicks-off-with-concept-car/20547444/article-detail.xml 20547444 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/kia-horki-concept-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/kia-horki-concept-628.jpg <![CDATA[Honda boss says Chinese drivers don't want green cars]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/honda-boss-says-chinese-drivers-dont-want-green-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/honda-boss-says-chinese-drivers-dont-want-green-cars/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/honda-boss-says-chinese-drivers-dont-want-green-cars/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Honda Concept M minivan for 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

According to The Wall Street Journal, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito believes that China's nascent car-buying demographic isn't all that interested in hybrid cars - at least not yet. The emissions story doesn't resonate with them, and certainly not for the higher purchase premium such models usually carry. What they really want, Ito believes, is reliable, affordable cars that fit their needs. When it comes to Honda sales, the numbers would appear to jibe with his thoughts: Honda sold 598,577 vehicles in China last year through its two joint ventures, yet just 542 of them were hybrids - not even a tenth of a percent. However, Toyota sold 840,500 cars in China last year, and two percent of that total, 17,300 units, were hybrids, which is closer to the still-piddling three-percent ratio of sales that Toyota posted in the US last year.

Honda offers the Insight, Fit Hybrid and CR-Z in China and plans to make components for its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system there from next year, the hope being it will reduce the cost of hybrid cars for local buyers. That was one part of the plan Honda laid out last year to popularize its IMA system in China. Other initiatives include the introduction of a new hybrid system for mid-sized and large vehicles and a plug-in hybrid. Among the four new vehicles Honda showed during this weekend's press day for the Shanghai Motor Show (including the Concept M minivan pictured above) there was not a single hybrid among them.

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don't want green cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> chinachina hybridshondahonda hybridhybridtakanobu ito Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547653/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547653/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/honda-boss-says-chinese-drivers-dont-want-green-cars/20547653/article-detail.xml 20547653 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/honda-concept-m_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/honda-concept-m.jpg <![CDATA[Help a couple drive their 1984 Vanagon around the world]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/help-a-couple-drive-their-1984-vanagon-around-the-world/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/help-a-couple-drive-their-1984-vanagon-around-the-world/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/help-a-couple-drive-their-1984-vanagon-around-the-world/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Meet Brad, Sheena and Nacho

Drive Nacho Drive

Driving through China is a pricey proposition. The couple will need to pony up a staggering $19,514 just to cover the fees.

Brad and Sheena Van Orden are in the midst of a life-defining campaign to travel around the world, and they're doing it in a 1984 Volkswagen Vanagon custom built for the occasion. The past 15 months have seen the couple quit their jobs with Gore-Tex and drive from Arizona to the very southern tip of Argentina after spending a full two years saving and preparing for the trek. Now they're in southern Asia gearing up for the next leg of their journey.

Currently, Brad and Sheena face two options when it comes to making their way west toward Greece. Right now, the couple plans to point their faithful van, Nacho, toward Cambodia and drive through Laos before entering China. No one said the Van Ordens were taking the direct route.

The only problem is that driving through China is a pricey proposition. The couple will need to pony up a staggering $19,514 just to cover the fees associated with obtaining a Chinese driver's license, registering Nacho in the People's Republic and paying for an official, government-required guide's food and lodging during their time in the country. Considering Brad and Sheena have budgeted $2,000 a month for their entire adventure, the price tag is a bit out of reach. Or at least it is without our help.

We caught up with the Van Ordens while they were stopped at a campground in Thailand for a quick chat.

Continue reading Help a couple drive their 1984 Vanagon around the world

Help a couple drive their 1984 Vanagon around the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> around the worldautoblog vanagonautoblogvanagondrive around the worlddrive nacho drivevanagonvolkswagenvolkswagen vanagon Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547009/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547009/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/help-a-couple-drive-their-1984-vanagon-around-the-world/20547009/article-detail.xml 20547009 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01.jpg <![CDATA[Our Shanghai Motor Show roundup, in case you missed it]]> http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/our-shanghai-motor-show-roundup-in-case-you-missed-it/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/our-shanghai-motor-show-roundup-in-case-you-missed-it/ http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/our-shanghai-motor-show-roundup-in-case-you-missed-it/#comments Filed under: ,

Shanghai Motor Show

It's one thing to have a major international auto show hold its one sole press day on a weekend, and it's another to have to accommodate for that on top of a huge time difference. Such was the case with the Shanghai Motor Show this past weekend, and while we managed to get a majority of our live coverage wrapped up on Saturday, a few stragglers and updates have also worked their way into the fold.

Because of that, we're giving you one more look at our official, final, tied-a-bow-on-it roundup, in handy-dandy grid format below. Take a look at everything that came out of the Shanghai show and make sure to tell us what your favorite debuts were, in the comments.

Our Shanghai Motor Show roundup, in case you missed it originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 shanghai motor showshanghaishanghai motor show Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546741/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546741/article-comments.html http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/our-shanghai-motor-show-roundup-in-case-you-missed-it/20546741/article-detail.xml 20546741 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chinaautoshow.e2dc1fada8874a7b88d6d7b41efa56a9_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chinaautoshow.e2dc1fada8874a7b88d6d7b41efa56a9.jpg -1 2