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[Brilliance importer for Europe goes belly up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/brilliance-importer-for-europe-goes-belly-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/brilliance-importer-for-europe-goes-belly-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/brilliance-importer-for-europe-goes-belly-up/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When Chinese automaker Brilliance wanted to invade The Continent, it chose Germany-based importer HSO Motors to introduce models like its BS4. Brilliance kept up its end of the agreement, shipping cars to HSO; HSO, however, couldn't get the cars sold, and a little more than a year into the partnership HSO has gone bankrupt.

Three reasons are blamed for the flame-out: the crash test videos for the BS4 and BS6, along with pricing. If you'll remember, when the German ADAC tested the Brilliance BS6, the result was a horror film that would have frightened Freddy Krueger with an official rating of zero stars. After a great deal of improvements and added equipment were put on the BS4, tested two years later, the results were much more palatable -- yet the car still received just three stars. The ADAC's had raised its testing standards, so what would have earned the BS4 a three-star rating under the old methods was only good for zero this time around. That didn't make German buyers comfortable.

The ADAC's testing methods have been labeled unfair, and it's been noted that the ADAC is not a regulatory body. Yet other cars tested under the new methods, like the Skoda Yeti and Honda Jazz, earned five stars. Beyond that, the BS4 is priced at about €16,000 ($24,000 U.S.). Even though it's larger, it's priced against cars like the Focus and Golf, and well above a Skoda Octavia. As a maker trying to earn its way into the field of German car offerings, Brilliance will need to go well beyond the norm to to make its case. For now, Brilliance has taken over HSO Motors' role as importer.

[Source: Euro Car Blog]

Brilliance importer for Europe goes belly up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adacBrilliancebrilliance bs4BrillianceBs4chinaeuropegermanyhso motorsHsoMotorsWed, 11 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[In German crash test, China's Brilliance BS6 sedan fails miserably]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/22/brilliance-bs6s-adac-crash-test-is-anything-but/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/22/brilliance-bs6s-adac-crash-test-is-anything-but/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/22/brilliance-bs6s-adac-crash-test-is-anything-but/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Brilliance BS6 ADAC crash test
Click above image for photo gallery

China's Brilliance BS6 is a recent entry into the European market, positioned as a premium-style import sedan at a budget price. Well, after seeing the videos of the car undergoing crash testing using Euro NCAP guidelines at the ADAC (Germany's AAA, essentially) test center, one thing's certain: buyers get what they pay for. The BS6, as currently constructed, appears to a complete piece of crap. The horrifying 40 mph offset frontal crash test video shows damage that can be described as catastrophic at best. The A-pillar collapses and folds up like a cheap suitcase, forcing the driver's door to pop largely out of its frame, while the lower portion of the car buckles like it's made of recycled pop cans. We wouldn't want to be the driver's legs...or any other part of him for that matter. To open the mangled door afterwards, the ADAC techs needed to use a huge crowbar to get it to budge. ADAC notes that the pedals intruded a foot and a half (32 cm) into the driver's space, while the IP moved in almost 8 inches (20 cm). Needless to say, the BS6 failed the test, garnering just 1 star.

Follow the jump for more coverage/opinion and the related videos. Thanks to Andy B. for the tip!

[Sources: ADAC (translated) via Autobild, AFX News via Forbes]

Gallery: Brilliance BS6 ADAC Crash test

Continue reading In German crash test, China's Brilliance BS6 sedan fails miserably

In German crash test, China's Brilliance BS6 sedan fails miserably originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adacbreakingbrilliancebs6catastrophic damageCatastrophicDamagecrash testCrashTestFri, 22 Jun 2007 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes tops reliability report]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/mercedes-tops-reliability-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/mercedes-tops-reliability-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/05/mercedes-tops-reliability-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to the German automotive association ADAC, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are the most reliable among the German brands. The C-Class, CLK-Class, E-Class, M-Class, S-Class, and the SLK-Class all took top spots in the association's latest report, more than any other German automaker. The ADAC was especially impressed with the C-Class (pictured). This is particularly surprising considering the quality troubles Mercedes-Benz has had to deal with the last few years.

[Source: Canadian Driver]

Mercedes tops reliability report originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADACC-ClassReliabilitystatisticsFri, 05 May 2006 12:24:00 EST