Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: GM to give China dedicated vehicle, launch up to 30 models there in five years ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/15/report-gm-to-give-china-dedicated-vehicle-launch-up-to-30-mode/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/15/report-gm-to-give-china-dedicated-vehicle-launch-up-to-30-mode/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/15/report-gm-to-give-china-dedicated-vehicle-launch-up-to-30-mode/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

According to Automotive News China, at least one new inexpensive model from Buick or Chevrolet will be dedicated to the Chinese and other emerging markets. The undisclosed model will arrive before 2011. In addition, two more Buick-badged vehicles, and four more wearing Chevrolet logos, will roll into Chinese showrooms in the next two years.

Looking further down the road, Kevin Wale, General Motors' China Group president, reportedly also confirmed that the automaker plans to launch as many as 30 new models by 2014 in an effort to double sales. Of the 8.35 million GM cars and trucks sold in 2008, 1.09 million were sold in China.

[Source: Automotive News China, subs. req'd]

REPORT: GM to give China dedicated vehicle, launch up to 30 models there in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BuickChevroletChinaChineseGeneral Motors ChinaGeneralMotorsChinaGM ChinaGmChinaManufacturingshanghaishanghai motor showShanghaiMotorShowWed, 15 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/gm-expects-sales-in-china-to-grow-20-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/gm-expects-sales-in-china-to-grow-20-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/gm-expects-sales-in-china-to-grow-20-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

General Motors boasted in April that it would double sales in China by 2013 with the introduction of 30 new or upgraded models over the next five years.

Last month, GM forecasted that its vehicle sales in China would grow 10% this year alone and now it seems those numbers may have been a bit conservative. Kevin Wale, GM's China Group President, has just announced that the company expects vehicle sales in the region to grow by a little more than 20% in 2009.

While the rest of the global automotive industry is stuck in a rut, the emerging Chinese market seems largely unaffected by stagnant North American sales or GM's bankruptcy filing in early June. As of now, China is the company's second largest market (thanks in part to their insatiable appetite for Buicks).

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

GM expects sales in China to grow 20% in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20 percent20PercentChinaChineseGMincreaseKevin WaleKevinWaleRiseSalesvehiclesWaleFri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: China passes U.S. in auto sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-china-passes-u-s-in-auto-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Most of the world has been knee deep in a wicked recession for quite a while, and auto sales have been hit especially hard. Here in the U.S., the numbers have been abysmal, as the first half of the year saw only 4.8 million sales through June. China, on the other hand, is running away with the overall sales lead, as the emerging emerged market has added 6.1 million cars and trucks to its still developing roadways. According to The Associated Press, June sales were up 36% over the same period in 2008, and they're up 17% on the year.

The big winner in the market so far this year appears to be General Motors. The struggling Detroit, MI-based automaker has seen its China sales jump by 38% this year; while its U.S. sales have tanked. Industry analysts are predicting that the overall market for passenger cars in China will be between 10 and 11 million units.

Most experts weren't expecting China to pass the U.S. in overall sales for another decade, but the crumbling American auto industry has expedited the power shift, at least for the short term. With 1.3 billion people and a healthy economy, this day was destined to come.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google]

REPORT: China passes U.S. in auto sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto salesAutoSalescar salesCarSaleschinachina car saleschina salesChinaCarSalesChinaSaleschinesechinese car salesChineseCarSalesus salesUsSalesThu, 09 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: China rolls out 89 new models in six months - <i>that's one every two days</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/report-china-rolls-out-89-new-models-in-six-months-thats-one/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/report-china-rolls-out-89-new-models-in-six-months-thats-one/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/report-china-rolls-out-89-new-models-in-six-months-thats-one/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Geely GE - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've been hearing Chinese officials say for quite some time now that there are far too many automakers in the country for a healthy market in the long-term, but we didn't realize until today just how out-of-hand it may be. According to state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua, China has seen an unprecedented 89 new automobile launches so far this year.

That's surely a big number, but it doesn't really hit home until you consider that 89 vehicles in the first half of 2009 averages out to a new or heavily revised vehicle appearing in China once every two days. Of those new designs, 73 were cars, nine were SUVs, six were MPVs and - in contrast to typical American vehicle launches over the same period - only one was a crossover.

As you're surely aware, 2009 is only half over, and there are reportedly some 50 new vehicles still slated for introduction before the end of the year, equaling about 140 new models introduced in 2009. The good news, at least as far the bottom line goes, is that the new releases have translated into sales. The 4.96 million vehicles sold between January and May of this year represent a 14.29-percent increase over the same period in 2008. Still, considering the glut of new models hitting the market, one has to figure that a goodly number of those vehicles will go begging.


Gallery: Geely GE


[Source: Gasgoo]

REPORT: China rolls out 89 new models in six months - that's one every two days originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 chinese cars2009ChineseCarschinachinesechinese carchinese car marketchinese carsChineseCarChineseCarMarketChineseCarsnew chinese carnew chinese carsNewChineseCarNewChineseCarsFri, 03 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[China's Hautai reportedly readying Bentley Continental knockoff]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/chinas-hautai-reportedly-readying-bentley-continental-knockoff/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/chinas-hautai-reportedly-readying-bentley-continental-knockoff/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/chinas-hautai-reportedly-readying-bentley-continental-knockoff/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Huatai Concept - Click above for a gallery

Hot on the heels of Geely's "this is not a Rolls-Royce Phantom" GE, Chinese automaker Hautai is apparently busy working on its own new luxury vehicle, one that would appear to borrow liberally from the Bentley Boys. Huatai Automobile Group, based in Beijing, specializes in SUVs, so this model would represent something of a marked departure for them. HAG reportedly has the capacity to build 200,000 vehicles annually, and they have R&D centers in China, South Korea, and Germany. Last month, the private automaker reported sales up nearly 150 percent from last year.

Still unnamed (allow us to suggest: "This is not a Bentley Continental"), the four-door detailed in these images offers more than a striking resemblance to Bentley's admittedly comely Flying Spur. At the moment, details about the new sedan are about as shallow as the depth of the designers who have penned it, but we'll have more details for you as they become available.


Gallery: Huatai "Continental GT"


Source: ChinaCarTimes | Images: Che168]

China's Hautai reportedly readying Bentley Continental knockoff originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bentley ContinentalBentleyContinentalChinaChineseGeelyHuataiHuatai Automobile GroupHuataiAutomobileGroupKnock-offRolls-RoyceTue, 12 May 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai Sonata gets redesign for China, we want too]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/hyundai-sonata-gets-redesign-for-china-we-want-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/hyundai-sonata-gets-redesign-for-china-we-want-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/hyundai-sonata-gets-redesign-for-china-we-want-too/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the BHMC Sonata

The changes to the Chinese-market Hyundai Sonata are not enough to raise the roomy sedan's profile above handsome anonycar, but it's encouraging to see Hyundai figuring out freshening cycles without bringing the weird. This Sonata has been facelifted by BHMC, Hyundai's Chinese joint venture, and the car in the pictures is either a pre-production model, or a Monday-morning car, as it's missing some window trim. The tweaked nose and rump echo the styling of so many cars on the road that you can just pick your favorite brand as the one Hyundai copied. Derivative? Maybe, or it may just be that there's only so many places to go with a modest refresh of a modestly styled car. The interior also garnered some attention, getting adjustments to the seat and dashboard trim in the bright, airy cockpit. The design may not be quirky enough to please some, but a handsomely styled car at a competitive price will always find buyers. Thanks for the tip, 94 Taurus owner!

Gallery: Facelifted Chinese Hyundai Sonata


[Source: Carscoop]


Hyundai Sonata gets redesign for China, we want too originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachina hyundai sonatachina sonataChinaHyundaiSonataChinaSonatachinesechinese hyundai sonatachinese sonataChineseHyundaiSonataChineseSonatahyundaihyundai sonataHyundaiSonatasonataTue, 11 Nov 2008 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese Buick Regal caught dressed in red]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/30/chinese-buick-regal-caught-dressed-in-red/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/30/chinese-buick-regal-caught-dressed-in-red/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/30/chinese-buick-regal-caught-dressed-in-red/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more images of the 2010 Buick Regal

Two weeks ago we showed you spy shots of a 2010 Buick Regal caught testing in China that appeared to be nothing more than a rebadged Opel Insignia. (As you may recall, we'll be getting the 2010 Buick LaCrosse in the States.) All three of those cars are based on GM's Epsilon II platform, which we will also likely see under future vehicles from Saab, Saturn and Chevrolet. The Buick brand, and the popular Regal, are doing very well in China. As such, it's no surprise to see these latest spy shots of the barely disguised four-door Regal dipped in red, and it looks great despite being a badge job. The production version is expected to debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Gallery: 2010 Buick Regal - Spy Shots in Red


[Source: China Car Times]



Chinese Buick Regal caught dressed in red originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BuickBuick RegalBuickRegalChinaChineseConceptGuangzhou Auto ShowGuangzhouAutoShowInsigniaLaCrosseOpel InsigniaOpelInsigniaprototypespyTue, 30 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[The Clone Wars: Chinese copy banned from Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/the-clone-wars-chinese-copy-banned-from-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/the-clone-wars-chinese-copy-banned-from-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/the-clone-wars-chinese-copy-banned-from-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fiat's Panda is the best selling minicar in Europe, and has been for four years. When China's Great Wall Motor -- Chrysler's Chinese partner -- decided to make a minicar called the GWPeri, it borrowed from the best. That is, if by "borrowed" you mean created a car that differs only from the Panda in it's headlamps and bumper details.

Fiat didn't just do a double-take when it saw the GWPeri, it sued Great Wall Motor both in Italy and in China to prevent the car from being sold in Europe and China. A court in Turin recently decided that "the [GWPeri] does not look like a different car but is a Panda with a different front end." Furthermore, if a Peri ever shows up in Europe, GW will have to pay Fiat €15,000, with every GWPeri after that incurring a €50,000 fee.

Great Wall has already said it is going to contest the European verdict. The Chinese ruling hasn't come down yet, where the GWPeri went on sale earlier this year. Thanks for the tip!

[Source: Automotive World]

The Clone Wars: Chinese copy banned from Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachinesecloneclonescopiesgreat wall motorgreat wall motorsgreat wall periGreatWallMotorGreatWallMotorsGreatWallPeriWed, 23 Jul 2008 08:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo's suitor of the week: China's Chery]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/volvos-suitor-of-the-week-chinas-chery/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/volvos-suitor-of-the-week-chinas-chery/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/08/volvos-suitor-of-the-week-chinas-chery/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Following up on our report last month about Volvo possibly going to the Chinese, state media is now reporting that Chery Automobile, one of the largest independent and fastest growing Chinese auto manufacturers, has its eyes on the Swedish automaker. Although officials at Chery rule out the possibility of buying Volvo, other sources have stated that the Chinese automaker has already negotiated funding for a possible acquisition. If so, that funding will be significant-insiders put Volvo's value at 30 billion yuan (about $4.4 billion dollars). This isn't the first time that Ford has been rumored to be cashing-out on Volvo... however, it was just two months ago that Ford officials reiterated that Volvo was not for sale. We wouldn't bet our yuan on it.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Volvo's suitor of the week: China's Chery originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CheryChery Automotive GroupCheryAutomotiveGroupChinaChineseFord selling VolvoFordSellingVolvoSaleSuitorVolvoTue, 08 Jul 2008 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[HongQi announces new photochopped Lincoln MKT crossover!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/19/hongqi-announces-new-photochopped-lincoln-mkt-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/19/hongqi-announces-new-photochopped-lincoln-mkt-crossover/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/19/hongqi-announces-new-photochopped-lincoln-mkt-crossover/#commentsFiled under: , ,



How brazen can you get? At least most of the Chinese auto-cloners automakers create their own renderings of the cars they are copying. HongQi, a "premium" brand produced by First Auto Works in China simply grabbed a couple of press shots of the Lincoln MKT concept from the Ford Media site and starting 'chopping. Regardless of what you might think of Lincoln's new styling direction (generally, we like it), the Chinese version is not easy on the eyes. You would think with three months to work on it since the Lincoln pics appeared they could find someone to do a more professional-looking job. The question is, will FAW get their version on the road before the production version of the MKT lands at Lincoln dealers in 2009?

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Lincoln MKT Concept - Live Reveal


Gallery: Lincoln MKT Concept


[Source: China Car Times]

HongQi announces new photochopped Lincoln MKT crossover! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachina mobileChinaMobilechinesechinese carchinese clonesChineseCarChineseClonesfawfirst auto worksfirst-automobile-worksFirstAutoWorkshongqilincoln-mktlincoln-mkt-cloneSat, 19 Apr 2008 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese create ultimate clone: the F1 "Ferrari" cell phone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/chinese-create-ultimate-clone-the-f1-ferrari-cell-phone/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/chinese-create-ultimate-clone-the-f1-ferrari-cell-phone/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/chinese-create-ultimate-clone-the-f1-ferrari-cell-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It goes without saying that this isn't an officially-sanctioned Ferrari F430 cell phone. This is called the "F1 Phone," coming at you in bright-red injection-molded plastic direct from non-Ferrari manufacturing China. Like the Italian exotic, the F1 Phone offers a lot of performance with its dual-band support, a 2.2-inch touch-sensitive LCD display, music player, video player, memory expansion slot, USB connectivity, flashlight, and a slew of other electronic goodies (including three pre-installed games, though not a single one involving driving). Unlike the Italian exotic, this one sports a price tag of just $190, allowing you to save the other $185,000 for your text messaging bill. In case you were wondering, that bulls-eye smack in the middle of the windshield is the built-in 1.3 megapixel camera - you won't find one of those on any showroom Scuderia!

Gallery: F1 Ferrari Phone


[Source: Techpin via Engadget Mobile]

Chinese create ultimate clone: the F1 "Ferrari" cell phone originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cell PhoneCellPhoneChinesef430f430 racef430 scuderiaf430-spyderF430Racef430scuderiaFerrariferrari phoneFerrariPhoneKnock-offMobile PhoneMobilePhoneTue, 15 Apr 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2008: Steve Saleen presents... a bargain Chinese pickup!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/detroit-2008-steve-saleen-presents-a-bargain-chinese-pickup/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/detroit-2008-steve-saleen-presents-a-bargain-chinese-pickup/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/detroit-2008-steve-saleen-presents-a-bargain-chinese-pickup/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Laugh if you must, the wares that CHAMCO were showing off at the Detroit Auto Show were certainly a lot more humble than what you'd find at Lexus. China America Cooperative Automotive is seriously considering bringing pickup truck to the United States that they've retained the services of Steve Saleen to help guide them through the federalization process. The goal is to have the vehicle on sale here by 2009. Styling-wise, CHAMCO's un-named truck isn't going to win any EyesOn awards, but at $13,500, who cares? Besides, it could have looked a lot more grotesque, but it's not entirely a toad.

The equipment levels will meet market expectations, with power steering, windows, locks, and mirrors. Not a cupholder in sight, though. Materials inside the Anony-Truck will have you reliving the glory days of 1985, when truck interiors were seemingly blow-molded on the same production line as 2-liter soda bottles. Power comes from a 2.7-liter four cylinder serving up 150 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque through either a five speed manual or four speed automatic. Chortle now, but keep in mind another automaker from Asia that got its start with cheap little un-named pickups -- Toyota. For CHAMCO, it could be a smarter entry point than cars, anyway. The Ranger can only carry on for so long, and everyone else has pushed up the size and price of their once-small trucks.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Gallery: CHAMCO Pickup

Detroit 2008: Steve Saleen presents... a bargain Chinese pickup! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009chamcochinachinesedetroitnaiaspickupsaleentruckzautoThu, 17 Jan 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit 2008: Hang Ten with Tang Hua]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/detroit-2008-hang-ten-with-tang-hua/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/detroit-2008-hang-ten-with-tang-hua/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/detroit-2008-hang-ten-with-tang-hua/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for mini gallery of high-res hilarity

Sister site AB Green did a post on the Tang Hua clan yesterday, but we had to get in on the fun, too. A trio of bright yellow Dr. Suess-mobiles are being displayed by the Chinese company in the basement of COBO. As you might imagine, Chinese cars don't necessarily get that much respect here in Detroit, but when they look like these three Disneyland rejects, showgoers can't help but smile. Or laugh. And they don't even have the decency to run on dead dino juice, so that just makes them even more comical here in Motor City. Each of these three "neighborhood electric vehicles" has its own charms, but we tend to like the amphibious one above the best. And what better customer to espouse your product than the "Renowned environmentalists - President Bush..."

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Gallery: 2008 Detroit: Tang Hua Chinese electric vehicles

Detroit 2008: Hang Ten with Tang Hua originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AutobloggreenChinachineseDetroitDetroit 2008Detroit Auto ShowDetroit2008DetroitAutoShowelectricNAIASTang HuaTangHuaTue, 15 Jan 2008 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[SAIC and Nanjing merge to form mega Chinese auto group]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/saic-and-nanjing-merge-to-form-mega-chinese-auto-group/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/saic-and-nanjing-merge-to-form-mega-chinese-auto-group/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/saic-and-nanjing-merge-to-form-mega-chinese-auto-group/#commentsFiled under: ,

Industry analysts widely agree that one of the principal factors preventing Chinese automakers from succeeding outside of China is the local industry's fragmentation, with over 100 automakers vying for their slice of the proverbial pie. However, a merger announced Wednesday between two major Chinese automakers, Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp (SAIC) and Nanjing Automotive Group, stands a stronger chance of succeeding in the international car market as a larger group.

The merger, which has been long anticipated, involves SAIC paying $285.7 million for Nanjing. In return, Nanjing's parent company acquires 4.9 percent of SAIC Motor Corp.

The products of SAIC's joint ventures with GM and Volkswagen Group account for 14% of the domestic market in China, selling 1.25 million vehicles in the first ten months of 2007. Nanjing, meanwhile, sold less than 80,000 over the same period, making the acquisition a merger in the same sense as Mercedes had "merged" with Chrysler. Nanjing, however, owns MG Rover, whose plants in England SAIC hopes to use as a foothold into the European market.

[Source: Automotive News - subscription required]

SAIC and Nanjing merge to form mega Chinese auto group originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionautochinachinesegroupmergermgnanjingroversaicshanghaiWed, 26 Dec 2007 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Care to dance? - Geely looking for partners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/26/care-to-dance-geely-looking-for-partners/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/26/care-to-dance-geely-looking-for-partners/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/26/care-to-dance-geely-looking-for-partners/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"We started off building and selling cheap cars, but now we are changing," says Geely Automobile Holdings Chairman Li Shufu at at Tokyo press conference. Geely is the purveyor of some of the most inexpensive cars in China, and now it's looking to sell in other markets. Citing Geely's great respect for Japanese manufacturers, Li expressed a desire to collaborate with them as Geely follows the trail they blazed over a generation ago. Competition in the Chinese auto market is cutthroat, and Geely has plans to double its capacity and add assembly plants in North America and Europe, too. Their goal is to sell 1 million cars per year by 2010, quite an increase from the 175,635 units they moved last year.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

Care to dance? - Geely looking for partners originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allycapacitychinachinesegeelymanufacturingpartnerpartnershipFri, 26 Oct 2007 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[China's F1 entry... sorta]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/chinas-f1-entry-sorta/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/chinas-f1-entry-sorta/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/23/chinas-f1-entry-sorta/#commentsFiled under: ,

There have been many pretenders to the throne of "F1 car for the road". Ferrari, McLaren... even newcomer Caparo has joined the frey. But this has to be the farthest contender off the mark, if not the most worthy of the name "pretender" at least.

Our friends at The Hollywood Extra have a spy shot and an artist's rendering of a clone, of all things, wearing the F1 nameplate. The car, which appears to be a carbon copy of Toyota's cut-price Aygo, is made by Byd, one of the many Chinese automakers turning out carbon-copy clones of mainstream vehicles already on the market elsewhere in the world. The shocker: it's purported to have a list price equivalent to $3,500 in Chinese Yuan. That's right, the price of this car is probably less than a single tire on an actual F1 car.

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

China's F1 entry... sorta originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aygobydchinachineseclonecopyf1toyotaTue, 23 Oct 2007 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Asia auto sales set to eclipse Europe by 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/27/asia-auto-sales-set-to-eclipse-europe-by-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/27/asia-auto-sales-set-to-eclipse-europe-by-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/27/asia-auto-sales-set-to-eclipse-europe-by-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A J.D. Power and Associates study reveals that before the end of the decade, vehicle sales in the Asia Pacific region will surpass those in the European arena - the largest market in the world.

Although the report is nothing surprising considering the booming market in China and the surrounding economies, the figures are astounding. Projected auto sales in Europe through the end of the year will amount to 21.5 million, while sales in the Asia-Pacific realm will wind up around 19.2 million. However, by 2009, our neighbors to the west (or east, depending on your perspective) will be buying up over 23 million vehicles, compared to Europe, whose sales are projected to be around 22.7 million.

Investment opportunities are abound, so place your bets now and it's likely that you won't be disappointed.

The full report, complete with pretty charts, is available by clicking the "Read" link below.

[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Asia auto sales set to eclipse Europe by 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachineseeuropej.d. power and associatesJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesMon, 27 Aug 2007 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[UPDATE: No Chinese-built Lotus on the horizon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/update-no-chinese-built-lotus-on-the-horizon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/update-no-chinese-built-lotus-on-the-horizon/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/update-no-chinese-built-lotus-on-the-horizon/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Contrary to a report that surfaced Monday, Lotus has no intention of partnering with the Malaysian state-owned automaker, Proton, to build cars in China. This announcement debunks what Jinhua Neoplan has asserted throughout a number of articles in the Chinese press - including the state-supported China Daily.

The e-mail, which was apparently sent to Lotus staff, makes it clear that no vehicles will be produced in China, nor are there any plans to do so within the next five years. The email goes on to say that such reports "could affect staff morale or performance" and that, "in the future please treat such press comments with the scepticism (sic) they deserve."

Moving on...

[Source: Inside Line]

UPDATE: No Chinese-built Lotus on the horizon originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachina dailyChinaDailychineseeuropajinhua neoplanJinhuaNeoplanlotusprotonThu, 16 Aug 2007 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Buick lineup to get Chinese-infusion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/buick-lineup-to-get-chinese-infusion/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/buick-lineup-to-get-chinese-infusion/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/buick-lineup-to-get-chinese-infusion/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Judging by the positive reception the Chinese-marketed Buicks have been receiving here in the States, GM would be ill-advised to continue offering the same warmed-over products that it's been selling over the past decade. According to Automotive News, the General sees the writing on the wall and intends to go global with the new look of Buick, originally shown at the Shanghai Motor Show in the shape of the Riviera concept.

The idea is to make Buick an affordable luxury brand here in the States, and it has plans on offering a number of new vehicles to the U.S. market that will take on the high-end competitors from Japan.

To begin with, the Excelle, a small sedan, is set to be released sometime in 2008, based off the Alpha platform currently under development in Germany, while the next iteration of the LaCrosse will come in 2009 and will be based off of GM's Epsilon 2 underpinnings. The Lucerne will get a full makeover in 2011 and will be built around the RWD Zeta platform, and the Rainier, Rendezvous and Terraza will die off after the current production run, and replaced with the new Enclave.

Buick's move to become more things to more people is the only way the marque will survive, and judging by what's in the pipeline, the automaker actually has a chance at success.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Buick lineup to get Chinese-infusion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickchinachineseenclaveexcellelacrosserainierrendezvousterazaMon, 30 Jul 2007 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[The inside of a Brilliance coupe, pre NCAP crash-test]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/17/the-inside-of-a-brilliance-coupe-pre-ncap-crash-test/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/17/the-inside-of-a-brilliance-coupe-pre-ncap-crash-test/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/17/the-inside-of-a-brilliance-coupe-pre-ncap-crash-test/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you want to know what the inside of a Brilliance coupe looks like before it disintegrates in an NCAP test, pictures are finally available. As was said of the sedan, it's actually ... all right. There's a plethora of plastic, it's a bit on the dark side, and forget about sitting in the back seats -- but you can say the same things about plenty of non-Chinese coupes. In time, we're sure that the Chinese will get the minor issue of crash survivability sorted out; the question is how much time will it take. Until then, the best bet is look, don't touch.

[Source: China Car Times]

The inside of a Brilliance coupe, pre NCAP crash-test originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brilliancechinachinesecoupem3zhonghuaTue, 17 Jul 2007 10:10:00 EST