Chery builds a new mini-car that isn't a clone

For once a Chinese automaker has built a new car that isn't a clone of something from another company and isn't hideously ugly. The Chery S16 first appeared as a concept at the 2005 Shanghai Motor Show and now appears headed toward production. What appears to be production unit remains pretty faithful to the concept. The design isn't bad for a small car although a few elements do draw on other cars. The C-pillar looks like the D-pillar area of the Chevy Equinox while the lights front and rear borrow from the VW Beetle. Unfortunately, while Chery does appear to have made progress in design, they still seem to have a long way to go when it comes to actually bolting all the parts together. So far there is no indication of what kind of drive-train the S16 will have or if it will be exported.

Related:

• Chery has huge plans for hybrids in 2008 and beyond

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]