SAIC to buy Opel Insignia platform for Roewe?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST

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.

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Shanghai Surprise: Roewe to unveil N1 sedan concept?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Misc. Auto Shows, Roewe

Roewe N1 concept - Click for an image gallery

Back in 2004, Chinese firm Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) purchased the rights to assemble the Rover 25 and 75 from British automaker MG. Since then, SAIC has been content to offer a few vehicles that closely resemble the old Rover designs under the Roewe brand name. If the new Roewe N1 sedan concept is anything to go by, it looks as if the Chinese automaker is finally ready to branch out with something a bit more modern.

So far, all we have are renderings of the sleek new sedan, but the real thing is expected to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next week. We look forward to finding out whether the Jaguar XF-esque sedan's coupe-like profile is retained when the N1 makes its official entrance in the metal. Stay tuned.

Gallery: Shanghai Motor Show: Roewe N1 renderings

[Source: China Car Times]

Shanghai Surprise: Roewe to unveil N1 sedan concept? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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