Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ailing BYD prepares for layoffs in China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/06/ailing-byd-prepares-for-layoffs-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/06/ailing-byd-prepares-for-layoffs-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/06/ailing-byd-prepares-for-layoffs-in-china/#commentsFiled under: ,



Sometimes building the dream involves a little un-building and renovation. Such is the case with China's BYD (an acronym for Build Your Dreams) that, two years ago, made Warren Buffet a billion dollars in profit and made its chairman Wang Chuanfu the richest man in China, but by the end of last year was freefalling into dismal sales, following that up this year with dismal revelations and an even more dismal IPO.

The company is letting go of 2,600 workers from its sales force, who apparently didn't have much to sell as sales dropped 23 percent in the first six months of this year. The transition is happening in stages, with 1,000 slated to go first and others being transferred to places like assembly plants. Still, BYD plans to beat last year's sales of 520,000 units by five to 10 percent. In case you were dying to buy a BYD, it will probably be a little while longer before it sets up that Los Angeles HQ. We think you'll survive...

Ailing BYD prepares for layoffs in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>build your dreamsbydchina autochina auto saleswarren buffettTue, 06 Sep 2011 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20034353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/06/ailing-byd-prepares-for-layoffs-in-china/20034353/article-detail.xml 20034353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/bydlayoffs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/bydlayoffs.jpg <![CDATA[China reboots Cash For Clunkers program]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/china-reboots-cash-for-clunkers-program/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/china-reboots-cash-for-clunkers-program/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/china-reboots-cash-for-clunkers-program/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New car lot in China

If there's been a single reason for hope among auto executives during the past few lean years, it's been spelled C-H-I-N-A. Despite being a difficult regulatory environment with many hoops for automakers to jump through, the People's Republic has shone as the industry's brightest and biggest hope for big volumes and bigger profits. Certainly, the nation has delivered massive sales increases as it has developed into a global superpower, and its population and growing wealth suggests it should be good for many more millions of sales per year. Thing is, recent sales haven't supported this trend, and the Chinese government is reportedly stepping in to try and remedy the problem.

According to the Associated Press, China is planning its own version of the Car Allowance Rebate System (a.k.a. "Cash For Clunkers") that jumpstarted auto sales here in the U.S. during the summer of 2009. The program will subsidize the turn-in of everything from city buses and farm equipment toward the purchase of new vehicles. Depending on the type of vehicle, owners may qualify for subsidies of 11,000-18,000 yuan, or about $1,700-$2,800 USD. China previously offered a similar program at the end of 2009, but it did not make allowances for trucks and buses, and incentives were smaller, averaging about $730.

After years of double-digit sales increases, April showed the nation's first sales decrease in two years, and recently new auto sales have shown signs of slowing down. Fresh sales figures for the month of May are due later this week.

China reboots Cash For Clunkers program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c4ccarscash for clunkerscash-for-clunkerschina autochinese auto salesThu, 09 Jun 2011 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19962122/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/09/china-reboots-cash-for-clunkers-program/19962122/article-detail.xml 19962122 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/new-car-lot-china-ap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/new-car-lot-china-ap.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: BYD interested in buying Maybach from Mercedes?!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/rumormill-byd-interested-in-buying-maybach-from-mercedes/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/rumormill-byd-interested-in-buying-maybach-from-mercedes/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/rumormill-byd-interested-in-buying-maybach-from-mercedes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Maybach Zeppelin 62 - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to one of China's largest auto-related websites, BYD is interested is acquiring the Maybach brand from Mercedes-Benz within the next few years. The site, auto.sina.com is reporting that an undisclosed official from BYD confirmed the companies interest in Maybach. The source stated that BYD would "launch the acquisition" when Mercedes finalizes its decision to end the Maybach nameplate.

Mercedes and BYD have already joined together in an effort to market electric vehicles in China, so the companies have a working relationship, but whether or not this relationship translates into the acquisition of Maybach is unknown. It seems unlikely that Mercedes would hand over the Maybach nameplate to another company, but it just might happen. BYD's expansion efforts have been strong and luxury cars such as the Zeppelin, pictured above, tend to sell well in foreign markets so it could be a fit for BYD. For now, we will just have to wait it out and see what develops.


Gallery: Maybach Zeppelin


[Source: auto.sina via The Tycho]

Rumormill: BYD interested in buying Maybach from Mercedes?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BydByd Autobyd buy maybachbyd chinabyd e6BYD F3DMBydAutoBydBuyMaybachBydChinaBydE6BydF3dmchina autochina automotive industryChinaAutoChinaAutomotiveIndustrymaybachMaybach 57Maybach 62Maybach57Maybach62mercedesMercedes Benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMon, 29 Mar 2010 13:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19417638/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/29/rumormill-byd-interested-in-buying-maybach-from-mercedes/19417638/article-detail.xml 19417638 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/zeppelin16_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/zeppelin16_opt.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Ssangyong restarts production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/05/report-ssangyong-restarts-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/05/report-ssangyong-restarts-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/05/report-ssangyong-restarts-production/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Korean automaker Ssangyong has reportedly restarted five of its production lines at its plants in Pyeongtaek and Changwon. Earlier this month, Ssangyong was forced to enter receivership as a last ditch effort to stave off bankruptcy after failing to negotiate a deal with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., the Korean automaker's Chinese owners, and Korea Development Bank, its largest creditor.

Prior to those negotiations, Ssangyong was hemorrhaging money due to a 50% drop in sales, which ultimately led to the inability to make payroll and fulfill supplier contracts. At this point, Ssangyong must wait until February 9 to find out if the local court of Seoul will allow the automaker to enter bankruptcy protection proceedings. Sounds like the road will remain bumpy for Korea's fifth-largest automaker for the foreseeable future.

[Source: Gasgoo | Image: AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Ssangyong restarts production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china autoChinaAutochinese autoChineseAutokorean autokorean carKoreanAutoKoreanCarSAICssangyongssangyong bankruptcySsangyongBankruptcyThu, 05 Feb 2009 17:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1449996/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/05/report-ssangyong-restarts-production/1449996/article-detail.xml 1449996 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/ssangyong-production-line-stoppage-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/ssangyong-production-line-stoppage-580.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: China Automobile almost kicked out of Frankfurt show?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/rumormill-china-automobile-almost-kicked-out-of-frankfurt-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/rumormill-china-automobile-almost-kicked-out-of-frankfurt-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/12/rumormill-china-automobile-almost-kicked-out-of-frankfurt-show/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Shuanghuan CEO

Shuanghuan UFOAccording to UK-based media service Headline Auto, one of the hot rumors flying around the Auto Messe in Frankfurt earlier this morning was that China Automobile, the German importer for Chinese automaker Shuanghuan, was going to get booted out of the exhibit hall. The controversy stems from some bad blood brewing between Shuanghuan and the mainstream manufacturers whose designs it blatantly, unashamedly copies. On display in Frankfurt are the Shuanghuan UFO and CEO SUVs. UFO is a Toyota RAV4 clone, and CEO is a 95% copy of the BMW X5. (We say 95% because Shuanghuan apparently elected to copycat Mercedes-Benz for the CEO's front end design.)

In the end, China Automobile Deutschland got to stay at the show, but Shuanghuan still faces potential trouble ahead, as BMW is considering legal action against the company.

[Source: Headline Auto]

Continue reading Rumormill: China Automobile almost kicked out of Frankfurt show?

Rumormill: China Automobile almost kicked out of Frankfurt show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwceochina autochina automobilechina automobile ceochina automobile ufoChinaAutoChinaAutomobileChinaAutomobileCeoChinaAutomobileUfocopycat rav4copycat x5CopycatRav4CopycatX5rav4 cloneRav4Clonetoyota rav4ToyotaRav4ufox5x5 cloneX5CloneWed, 12 Sep 2007 15:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/987869/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/09/12/rumormill-china-automobile-almost-kicked-out-of-frankfurt-show/987869/article-detail.xml 987869 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/china-automobile_ceo_lo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/09/china-automobile_ceo_lo.jpg <![CDATA[Geely sales skyrocket at home]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/geely-sales-skyrocket-at-home/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/geely-sales-skyrocket-at-home/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/geely-sales-skyrocket-at-home/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The United States may be a little wary of China's Geely Automobile Holdings, Ltd., but folks in China are all over the automaker, pushing sales March sales up 36.2 percent over last year, with sales of 16,788 units. The manufacturer isn't doing too badly this quarter, either -- Geely dealers pushed a whopping 48,438 units off their lots, a 66.9 percent year-over-year increase.

The improvements come as numerous American, European and Japanese automakers are pushing their way into the country as well, making for an extremely competitive climate.

[Sources: CRIEnglish.com, Geely]

 

Geely sales skyrocket at home originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brilliance AutoBrillianceAutoCheryChina AutoChinaAutoChinese autoChineseAutoGeelyMon, 10 Apr 2006 13:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/607022/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/10/geely-sales-skyrocket-at-home/607022/article-detail.xml 607022 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/HQ-series_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/HQ-series.jpg <![CDATA[Citroen C-Triomphe headed for China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/25/citroen-c-triomphe-headed-for-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/25/citroen-c-triomphe-headed-for-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/25/citroen-c-triomphe-headed-for-china/#commentsFiled under: ,

China loves its sedans. The exploding market favors the three-box shape to the tune of 80-percent market share, so it isn't surprising that Citroen has grafted a trunk to its C4 in order to curry favor.

As seen here, the C-Triomphe is a lengthened C4 with the wheelbase extended, lending the car a much more formal look than the dynamic coupe and five-door bodystyles already in circulation. Production commences this summer at the automaker's local plant in Wuhan, built in 1997.

Citroen enjoyed sales of 100,000 units in China last year, a 34-percent increase. But the upside to China is startling-- in 2001, all of China purchased 717,000 cars. In 2005? 3,300,0000-- so needless to say, the French carmaker can't graft those boots on fast enough.

[Source: AutoCar]

Citroen C-Triomphe headed for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Feb 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C-TriompheC4china autoChinaAutoChinese autoChineseAutoCitroenCitroen C4CitroenC4Sat, 25 Feb 2006 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/594343/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/02/25/citroen-c-triomphe-headed-for-china/594343/article-detail.xml 594343 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/Citroen-C-Triomphe_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/Citroen-C-Triomphe.jpg -1 2