In July, we told you Changan would have a hybrid on the market in 2008. Now, Changan Automobile, the fourth largest automaker in China, is showing off the hybrid Jiexun-HEV. The hybrid is expected on the market soon and some will be donated to the Beijing Olympics next year. Here is Xu Liuping, the president of Changan Automobile, at a celebration ceremony, speaking about Jiexun-HEV:
It took us 6 years to develop this hybrid and it marks the beginning of mass production of hybrid vehicles at our company today. … We will donate 10 Jiexun hybrid vehicles to the Olympics Games next year. … The volume production of Jiexun indicates that China has grasped core technologies of hybrid vehicles.
Jiexun-HEV is China’s first local-brand hybrid vehicle, fuel economy is improved 20 percent (compared to the non-hybrid version) and it meets EU-IV emission standards. Hybrids have not been too popular in China because of the high price but Xu promises the price for the Jiexun-HEV will be sharply lower than the imports and the company will invest 300 million yuan ($40.7 million) into research and getting the car into production.
Changan has also said their hybrids would be available over seas. So, Jiexun-HEV could be on American streets soon. Are you ready for inexpensive, hybrid cars from China?
Related:
- Chinese car company Chang’an to enter hybrid market
- China’s BYD Automobile to make hybrid next year
- Chery has huge plans for hybrids in 2008 and beyond
- Rumor: Chinese automaker FAW to release hybrid based on Mazda 6
- Shanghai Motor Show: Chinese domestics jumping on hybrid bandwagon
[Source: Gasgoo via AutoChannel]