Autoblog

Fiat back in the mix as Bertone manufacturing unit goes up for sale

Noah Joseph — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST

Bertone Mantide - Click above for a high-res image gallery

You could say that Fiat's on a bit of a spending spree lately. While everyone else is struggling to trim expenditures and sell off divisions, Fiat's been buying them up. So after moving in at Chrysler's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and making offers for GM's European and Latin American operations - including Opel and Vauxhall - it should come as no surprise that the Italian automaker is at it again, this time placing a non-binding offer to acquire Carrozzeria Bertone.

The offer is one of five currently being entertained by Italy's oldest coachbuilder and the courts administering its bankruptcy. Among other bidders reported are Domenico Reviglio (the Gruppo Prototipo chief who was slated to buy the company last year), former Lancia CEO Gianmario Rossignolo, Chinese automaker FAW and an additional unspecified Spanish concern. It is also not the first time Fiat considered rescuing Bertone after a previous attempt failed over two years ago.

Although the reports remain somewhat ambiguous, it appears that the unit in question is only the contract manufacturing division Carrozzeria Bertone SpA, a separate unit from the Stile Bertone design house under the Gruppo Bertone umbrella.

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

[Source: Automotive News Europe - Sub. Req.]

Fiat back in the mix as Bertone manufacturing unit goes up for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another new (old) Passat: Shanghai VW Lingyu

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a gallery of the Chinese market VW Lingyu

China's already got Volkswagen's Passat in R36 guise, as well as a locally-made, Passat-derived model called the Magotan. Now it's going to have another car based on the Passat called the Lingyu. Built on a revised, long-wheelbase version of the 4-year-old PQ46 platform and using the previous-generation Passat body style, the Lingyu is shaping up to be the longest Passat sedan variant available in China.

Three engines have been mentioned, along with a 15% increase in fuel efficiency: the 1.8T, 2.0 FSI, and 2.4 V6. The changes are being made by VW's Chinese partner Shanghai VW, with the aim of increasing interior space and comfort. The car should be available in Q2 of this year, and might make an appearance at next month's Shanghai Auto Show.

Gallery: China FAW-VW Lingyu

[Source: Gasgoo]

Another new (old) Passat: Shanghai VW Lingyu originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Chinese expect to build cars in Mexico in 2010, may sell cars at big-box retailers

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: China, South America

There seems to be little doubt that Chinese cars will hit the U.S. market some soon - the big question is when. At least one automaker is suggesting that Chinese cars will enter America by way of Mexico, with production starting in 2010 and sales in the United States by 2015 after first making the rounds in Latin America and Canada. That date may have been sooner had we not hit such a nasty global economic crisis.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this scenario would be the distribution chain. Instead of using franchised dealerships, Mexican-built Chinese cars could be sold at large retail chains like CostCo and Walmart. GS Motors, the Mexican distributor for China's FAW brand, is already trialing this strategy in Mexico and would likely do the same in the States, assuming the program proves successful in smaller markets.

[Source: Gasgoo]

REPORT: Chinese expect to build cars in Mexico in 2010, may sell cars at big-box retailers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing 2008: HongQi SUV concept doesn't look like a photochopped MKT

Alex Nunez — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:43:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, China, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a high-res gallery of the HonQi SUV

FAW's premium HonQi (Red Flag) division has unveiled its V12 luxury SUV concept in Beijing. While photoshopped images based on the Lincoln MKT concept surfaced on a Chinese website ahead of the show, the actual vehicle on display looks nothing like those. It is, in fact, a unique design. HonQi, you might recall, will put the 6.0L V12 engine into production next year and have it power the production HQE limousine, a Rolls-Royce Phantom doppelganger that all the party big shots are sure to be seen in. In the SUV, the engine is said to produce 402 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.

The SUV concept sports more gills and slats in front than a Porsche Cayenne, and the styling incorporates features meant to appeal specifically to the Chinese audience. The nose is highlighted by the "Tiananmen Square"-shaped grille (we're guessing the appeal of this may vary) and the head- and taillamps are shaped like ancient Chinese Ge weapons. Aside from the extremely pronounced front fender arches, the truck's overall shape is pretty conventional, and the HonQi SUV isn't going to win many beauty awards. Inside, light-colored leather and lots of blue lighting are the main themes, and the entire center stack appears to be an LCD touch panel that's typical of the fantasy equipment automakers love to show in concept vehicles. A roof-mounted rearview camera sends pictures of the view aft onto a video screen for the driver in lieu of a traditional mirror. We wouldn't expect to see a production version (if there even is one planned) until sometime after the HQE jumbo sedan arrives in 2009.

Gallery: Beijing 2008: HonQi SUV Concept

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2008: HongQi SUV concept doesn't look like a photochopped MKT originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HongQi announces new photochopped Lincoln MKT crossover!

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: China, Crossover, Lincoln

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.

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Beijing '08 Preview: FAW B131 Sedan

Alex Nunez — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Misc. Auto Shows

The FAW Besturn is a Chinese sedan based on the current-gen Mazda6, and while it won't go down in the annals of memorable car designs, its certainly not offensive either inside or out. Come next month at the Beijing Motor Show, FAW is expected to introduce a new, still-unnamed 4-door that Autoblog Chinese refers to simply as B131. The attached sketches show some promise -- that's a nice-looking car -- but the spy photo to the right gives us pause, as it looks nothing like the sketches. In fact, it just looks like a taped-up Mazda6. Here's hoping that FAW unveils something that looks like the drawings and not just the current Mazda6 with a FAW badge in the middle of the grille.

Gallery: FAW B131 (China)

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Beijing '08 Preview: FAW B131 Sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China to be biggest car market by '09, or maybe '15

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, China

China has come on quickly in the automotive world. Long known as a nation of bike riders, it now represents the third largest manufacturer and second largest market for cars in the world. As People's Daily Online points out, in just five years since joining the WTO, sales of Chinese made vehicles have almost doubled, and sales of sedans have more than quadrupled.

For 2006 China expects to produce and sell more than 7 million cars. Nissan-Renault, the world's 4th largest car group by comparison, is struggling with getting capacity above 6 million. The study perhaps optimistically estimated that by 2009, production and sales will reach 10 million units. At that pace China could be the world's largest car market by 2015.

China also happens to represent the fastest growing segment of Autoblog categories. What with Chery and Nanjing, Geely and FAW, SAIC and Roewe, and all the others, we can't get enough of this explosion of products and news. While many of our stories have necessarily focused on the derivative styling and problematic trademark issues, we've also tried to point out how important this market really is. Their thirst for premium vehicles is but one example. Like the Koreans, we know it's only a matter of time before we start referring to these companies in the same breath as the Japanese makers.

[Source: People's Daily Online]

China to be biggest car market by '09, or maybe '15 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beijing Auto Show: FAW Red Flag HQ3

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:24:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China

China's FAW just debuted the Red Flagship in its Hongqi (Red Flag) lineup. Rejuvenating one of China's oldest upscale car names, the new HQ3 sedan is Red Flag's take on the Toyota Crown Majesta. The Hongqi brand was generally FAW's outlet for their large luxury cars, which were intended for only the elite. Most Hongqi models were based on older Audi designs, so this Toyota based HQ3 will be a huge improvement. Further encouraging news is the fact that FAW has partnerships with not only Toyota, but Volkswagen, Audi and Mazda as well. Should produce some nice ~~copies~~ cars.

The HQ3 will use Toyota-derived 3.0-liter V-6 and 4.3-liter V-8 engines. FAW plans to build about 13,000 units a year at its home plant in Changchun. They are even talking about a bulletproof version for use by government officials. The HQ3 went on sale yesterday at the start of the Beijing show. Prices will start at about 499,800 yuan ($63,500) for the base 3.0-liter. The uplevel 3.0 was announced at 566,800 yuan ($72,000), and the 4.3-liter at 688,800 yuan ($87,500).

Because it's based on the Toyota Crown Majesta (think home market Lexus GS, but different), the driving dynamics should be pretty good. The top option 4.3-liter should do 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Alphabet soup acronyms dot the equipment lists across the range: ETCS-I, ACIS, Dual VVT-i V6/DOHC/24V, ABS_EBD_VSC (Vehicle Stability Control System), TRC (Traction Control System), and HAC (uphill auxiliary control system). The HQ3 is also equipped with a night vision system, collision avoidance systems, and projection speed display, intelligent adaptive headlight system, AFS, automatic guidance system, and a tire pressure warning system amongst others. Tons of pics after the jump. Car looks good, but that signature red hood bulge has us thinking of a Proboscis Monkey.

[Source: Red Flag via Autoblog Chinese]

Continue reading Beijing Auto Show: FAW Red Flag HQ3

Beijing Auto Show: FAW Red Flag HQ3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mau-tronic! FAW's Chinese robotic car

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:42:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Sedan, China, Technology

Now this has disaster spelled all over it. (If you can read Chinese.)

Chinese carmaker First Auto Works (FAW) is demonstrating a sedan that drives itself. Equipped with two cameras hooked up to a computer guidance system of some sort, the FAW Hongqi (Red Flag) HQ3 prototype is designed to navigate its way through streets, avoiding obstacles, stopping at traffic signals and hopefully mowing down a minimum of pedestrians.

FAW demonstrated the car at the Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo, where it was limited to a snail-pace 37 mph, though the automaker claims it could safely operate at speeds up to 93 mph. If it actually works in real life, this would mark a significant step forward from the embarrassing demonstration of Mercedes' Brake Assist PLUS system and a challenger to vehicles entering the next DARPA Grand Challenge.

Personally, I'll just be happy if it can get an egg roll and crispy beef to my house while they're still hot.

[Source: Techdirt via Engadget ]

Mau-tronic! FAW's Chinese robotic car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FAW Benteng takes on Accord and Camry in China

John Neff — Mon, 22 May 2006 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Ford, Mazda

It's a well-known fact that foreign automakers desiring to crack the Chinese market are required by the government to buddy up with a Chinese domestic automaker. First Automotive Works Group (FAW) is in bed with not only Volkswagen and Toyota, but Ford's Japanese affilitate, as well, with which it produces the Mazda6 for the Chinese market. At last week's Hangszhou Auto Show FAW introduced the Mazda6-based Benteng midsize sedan that will take on the Accord and Camry in China with a pair of 2.0L and 2.3L engines, a five-speed manual tranny, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, stability control and six airbags. Inside Line is reporting FAW hopes to sell 10,000 units in China by the end of the year, though doesn't plan to export the sedan to foreign markets.

[Source: Global Auto Index via Inside Line]

FAW Benteng takes on Accord and Camry in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 May 2006 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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