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: Chinese automaker SAIC accused of hybrid tech theft by SsangYong]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/report-chinese-automaker-saic-accused-of-hybrid-tech-theft-by-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/report-chinese-automaker-saic-accused-of-hybrid-tech-theft-by-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/report-chinese-automaker-saic-accused-of-hybrid-tech-theft-by-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In the beginning of the decade, before SsangYong got into really deep doo-doo, the Korean automaker began work on a hybrid control unit (HCU) with German engineering firm FEV. From 2004 to 2008, as the research continued, the South Korean government provided nearly half of the financial resources for the development of the technology. In 2005, as Ssangyong's stumbles began, Chinese automaker SAIC took a majority stake in the Korean company.

A year later, in 2006, SAIC saw the success SsangYong was having with the HCU and allegedly pressured SsangYong engineers to hand over the technology. And that, according to Korean state prosecutors, violated laws regarding the transfer of "homegrown technologies... without state permission." Since the Korean government paid for almost half of the tech, SAIC's rights to the HCU needed to be approved by the Korean government.

Seven indictments have been brought against SsangYong engineers, none of whom were financially compensated for revealing the HCU plans to SAIC. It appears to be a simple case of bullying. No action is planned against SAIC. Hat tip to Regular Man!

[Source: Korea Times | Image: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Chinese automaker SAIC accused of hybrid tech theft by SsangYong originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinagovernmentintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertylegalsaicshanghai automotive industry corpShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpsouth koreaSouthKoreassangyongThu, 12 Nov 2009 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[SAIC to buy Opel Insignia platform for Roewe?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/saic-to-buy-opel-insignia-platform-for-roewe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/saic-to-buy-opel-insignia-platform-for-roewe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/saic-to-buy-opel-insignia-platform-for-roewe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Chinese-spec Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to an unnamed source from the 21st Century Business Herald in China (via Gasgoo), Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) has been in talks with General Motors since last March to purchase the Eplison II platform (as used by the latest Opel Insignia and the Chinese-market Buick Regal) for its next Roewe 750 midsize sedan. The fact that SAIC is GM's Chinese partner may seem to lend a bit of credibility to these rumors, though SAIC and General Motors have both initially denied any knowledge of the platform-sharing plan.

While all of Roewe's sedans have so far been based on the aging underpinnings of the former Rover brand from the U.K., recent concepts - such as the attractive N1 from the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year - show that the Chinese automaker is serious about designing attractive machines for its home market and beyond.


Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal


[Source: Gasgoo]

SAIC to buy Opel Insignia platform for Roewe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buick regalBuickRegalgmgm epsilon 2gm epsilon IIgm epsilon platformGmEpsilon2GmEpsilonIiGmEpsilonPlatformopel insigniaOpelInsigniaroeweroewe 750roewe n1Roewe750RoeweN1saicshanghai automotiveshanghai automotive industry corpshanghai automotive industry corporationShanghaiAutomotiveShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorporationWed, 24 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[SAIC to launch mild hybrid in 2010?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/saic-to-launch-mild-hybrid-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/saic-to-launch-mild-hybrid-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/24/saic-to-launch-mild-hybrid-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,



After investing a few hundred million dollars into alternative powertrain research, China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) says that it's finally ready to produce its first hybrid car. Nothing too fancy, just a mild hybrid with an electric motor that isn't capable of powering the vehicle without the assistance of the gas-powered engine. The battery pack, at least, is a suitably high-tech lithium ion unit that will be supplied by Johnson Controls, which has a joint venture with battery-maker SAFT to produce automotive packs. SAIC expects a fuel savings of about 20%. The platform for SAIC's first hybrid will be the old Rover 75, which was renamed the Roewe 750 after being bought out by its Chinese owners. Assuming all goes to plan with this first hybrid step, SAIC plans to branch further into the alternative propulsion world with an all-electric model.

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

SAIC to launch mild hybrid in 2010? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinese hybridChineseHybridhybrid roewehybrid roverHybridRoeweHybridRoversaicsaic hybridSaicHybridshanghai automotive industry corpshanghai automotive industry corporationShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorporationSat, 24 Jan 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Ssangyong enters receivership]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/ssangyong-enters-receivership/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/ssangyong-enters-receivership/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/ssangyong-enters-receivership/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Could it be too late for Ssangyong? Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) appears to have given up on Ssangyong Motor Co., allowing the company to slip into receivership. SAIC holds a 51% stake in Ssangyong, but gave up management rights in a bid to avoid liquidation and allow Ssangyong some time to get back in the black. The Korean automaker's Chief Executive Zhang Hai Tao and President Choi Hyung-tak both stepped down after the filing.

As recently as a couple of days ago, SAIC said they would help prop up Ssangyong, but that apparently has changed. As vehicle sales have fallen a whopping 50%, money was clearly tight. With the global economic crisis, credit was evidently unavailable to pay workers and new negotiations with the unions weren't going anywhere fast. This receivership agreement protects Ssangyong from creditors and keeps it from entering bankruptcy, allowing it some time to get back on its feet. For its part, SAIC said that it "will work with all parties so that Ssangyong can achieve a plan to normalize its operations." Thanks for the tip, Ken!

[Source: Market Watch]

Ssangyong enters receivership originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>saicshanghai automotiveshanghai automotive industry corpshanghai automotive industry corporationShanghaiAutomotiveShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorporationssangyongSsangyong Motor Cossangyong motorsSsangyongMotorCoSsangyongMotorsFri, 09 Jan 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Ssangyong gets bailout from SAIC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ssangyong-gets-bailout-from-saic/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ssangyong-gets-bailout-from-saic/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/06/ssangyong-gets-bailout-from-saic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It may not be the entire 320 billion won that its largest creditor was looking for, but Shanghai Automotive Industries Corp's recent announcement that it would prop Ssangyong up with an investment of 25.9 billion won ($19.89 million) should do the trick. SAIC says the money is to facilitate the development of new products, but we'd guess that paying the Korean automaker's employees for their services will probably take top priority. According to the unionized workers for Ssangyong, which is Korea's fifth-largest automaker, a total of 29 billion won is owed to employees.

The union and SAIC appear to be posturing back and forth on how to proceed from here. Ssangyong's Chinese owners want to cut a total of 2,000 jobs from the Korean automaker before investing any further money and the union is expected to vote on this new plan, which is widely expected to fail. After reporting a staggering sales drop of over 50% last year, though, something's got to give.

[Source: Gasgoo]

Ssangyong gets bailout from SAIC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>saicshanghai automotiveshanghai automotive industry corpshanghai automotive industry corporationShanghaiAutomotiveShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorporationssangyongTue, 06 Jan 2009 08:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Roewe 750E]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/spy-shots-roewe-750e/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/spy-shots-roewe-750e/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/spy-shots-roewe-750e/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wow, that didn't take very long. We just reported on Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp's Roewe brand last night, and today we have new spy shots of this car in testing, via Motor Authority. Nobody can say the Chinese don't think big as SAIC is said to be considering exporting its Rover Roewe 25 and 75 to other markets, including the U.S. Apparently, the new Roewe is much larger than the Rover 75 it is based on, and engine options look to be a choice of 1.8-liter and 2.5-liter Rovers, with the 1.8 possibly sporting a turbocharger.

To make a big impact on the market at launch, the Roewe 750E should offer a lot of standard equipment. Even the 1.8 version is expected to come with electric sunroof, 8-way power driver's seat, and electrically powered rearview mirrors as standard. The 2.5-liter model will add a DVD player, Xenon lamps, Bluetooth phone system, and reverse parking sensors. Sounds like a decent first offering for this company.

For those who might not remember, the Roewe saga has been similar to the BMW/VW fight over the bones of Rolls-Royce/Bentley several years ago. Ford had first right of refusal on the Rover name, but didn't exercise it until SAIC had bought the rights to the MG/Rover operations and was salivating at the mouth to purchase the Rover name from BMW. We'll have to wait and see how the Roewe v Rover story unfolds.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Spy Shots: Roewe 750E originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>roeweroverSAICShanghai Automotive Industry CorpShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpFri, 13 Oct 2006 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW/Shanghai Automotive talks still in progress for Rover name]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/16/bmw-shanghai-automotive-talks-still-in-progress-for-rover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/16/bmw-shanghai-automotive-talks-still-in-progress-for-rover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/16/bmw-shanghai-automotive-talks-still-in-progress-for-rover-name/#commentsFiled under: ,

The UK's Financial Times is reporting that BMW has agreed to sell the Rover name to an eager Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), new owner of the design rights to many of the vehicles owned by MG Rover before the company dissolved due to huge debts. FT reports that the German luxury automaker will complete a deal wtih SAIC in September in which BMW will hand over the rights to the Rover name for about $1.9 million, citing sources close to the deal. BMW, however, responded to the report today, indicating that talks are still in progress and no deals have been struck.

Nanjing Auto, the Chinese automotive company who bought MG Rover from BMW, was also talking to BMW about the Rover name. Ford Motor Company reportedly has right of first refusal to the Rover name, but is not expected to buy it.

[Source: Reuters]

BMW/Shanghai Automotive talks still in progress for Rover name originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwchinamg roverMgRoverroversaicshanghai automotive industry corpshanghai motorShanghaiAutomotiveIndustryCorpShanghaiMotorWed, 16 Aug 2006 18:28:00 EST