All posts tagged chinese car market
Volvo Universe Concept official pics
The Volvo Concept Universe is at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show as a prototype of Volvo’s new top-model sedan. The recognition of the Chinese car market comes not just in its debut in Shanghai, but also the Concept Universe design which has a totally new front end which should create some discussion. The sloping roof line and rear keeps the concept in the coupé-sedan trend.
The Concept Universe is based on a totally new SPA structure - Scalable Platform Arhictecture. As its name suggests, it will be used on other mid-size models in the models, and the production version of the Universe (hoping it changes its name…), will be the first to use the new SPA.
Despite that small detail, no powertrain information has been released so we can’t be sure what kind of set-up this will use. The Volvo Concept Universe uses the minimalist interior of Volvos of late, with extra high-tech features including iPad integration for rear passengers. It looks like Volvo is also trying to develop its interior to be more competitive with new colours and materials to wear the luxury label. Despite exterior design developments and changes, the interior is really where luxury is at in cars these days.
Peugeot SXC pics and design analysis
Here is the first look at the Peugeot SXC concept to be revealed at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show. The petrol hybrid concept model has been designed at Peugeot design studios in Shanghai and is proof again of how important the Chinese car market is to European manufacturers. At the same time, this SXC recognises that European cars can’t be all things to all people, and after one comment on Eurocarblog about whether “Asian buyers will consider buying a french hybrid car”, we’ll be interested to see the production future of the SXC and whether it sticks to its local market origins as truly dedicated to the Chinese market.
The Peugeot SXC comes with a four-cylinder 1.6 petrol engine with 220 hp, combined with a rear electric motor making the Hybrid4 system. Total power is 315 hp. The Shanghai Cross Concept (hence SXC), has an average fuel consumption of 20.7 l/km with CO2 emissions of 143 g/km.
The style develops previous design language used on the SR1, BB1 and HR1, and is placed in the currently popular crossover segment. It measures 4.87 metres long, 2.03 metres wide and 1.6 metres tall and we think is a nice fit for the Chinese market, while still playing on its French origins. That’s for the concept model, though, and whether PSA will take it to production in this style or not is anyone’s guess. One to watch to see if the group can’t improve its fortunes outside of Europe.
New Audi A3 drawings: A3 sedan also for Europe?
These Audi A3 drawings show the next-generation A3 hatchback and the new coupé-like design it will develop. The new design is unsurprising given current trends in car design, and while Audi debuted the new A3 sedan concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the hatchback should still be the launch version of the revamped line-up.
The first new Audi A3 to appear will be the three-door model, to be followed by a five-door hatch, the new sedan and a soft top version. While the A3 sedan has mostly been developed for the US and Chinese car markets, we could see it in Europe in the course of 2012. It will be interesting to see if this new version usurps the popularity of the traditional hatchback.
More news includes the updated Audi A3 engine range. Beyond the standard petrol and diesel powertrains, we should also get hybrid, natural gas and electric versions. We expect some added touches to the interior - an increasingly important battle ground for luxury car manufacturers. The new Audi A3 could debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March.
2012 BMW M5 video footage
The 2012 BMW M5 is having a long release, so it’s just as well we don’t have to wait too much longer. After a private press launch on April 1st in Germany, the BMW M5 will debut at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show in a few weeks. This 30-minute video shows the BMW M5 in winter testing, including driving action and static shots. There are a few scenes from the M5 teaser videos that we saw, too, and we get a glimpse at the M5 interior as well. The testing commentary is also in English, so perservere.
The Chinese car market will also get another special edition BMW M3 after the Tiger Edition was launched last year. The new M3 for China will be the “Matte Edition” and as its name suggests, it will be decked out in matte black or gunmetal grey. Exterior features include 19-inch alloys, red brake callipers and black air intakes. On the interior there is a carbonfibre finish and red stitiching.
Saving Seat: four new models to turn brand around
Increasing Seat profits is a big part of Volkswagen’s strategy to be the world’s biggest car manufacturer by 2018, but it’s not an easy task. While the brand is being turned around and sold 340,000 units last year, it also made a loss of 311 million euros. A five year restructuring plan is “the last attempt for Seat as a brand” according to boss James Muir, although sales should increase this year to make a profit subsequently in 2013.
New models to help along the way will be:
- the Seat Ibiza ST launched late 2010
- the new Seat Alhambra
- a 2012 Seat Leon facelift
- a new Seat entry-level model and four-door sedan
- and a major Seat Ibiza facelift
Other growth for the Seat brand is planned as it moves to China - a market expected to help boost sales to 800,000 units a year by 2018. Seat will also have a key role as it builds the new Audi Q3 in Spain at Martorell facilities.
Source | Automotive News
Peugeot 508 and Citroen DS3 to be produced in China
More news regarding European and Chinese collaboration in the auto sector comes the PSA group’s partnership with Chang’an autos. The agreement will see the Citroen DS3 and Peugeot 508 models produced in China as well, with the latter being produced at Wuhan facilities and debuting sometime in 2011.
The Citroen DS3 on the other hand, will constitute a third brand for the local Chinese car market and should debut in 2012. It’s seen as an important part of the 200,000 cars PSA and Chang’an intend to produce together and if its style is appreciated by the locals, it should be able to fulfill that role.
Mercedes expands R&D in India
Mercedes is taking an intelligent approach to expansion in emerging markets by further investing in its R&D facilities in India. The R&D unit based in Bangalore will have increased staff numbers from 400 to a full 650 by the end of this year. The plant works with the global development centre in Germany and focuses on passenger cars.
The expansion is part of Daimler’s view to consolidate its presence in India and China and we’ll be very interested to see if any India or China-specific Mercedes models emerge from the process. It’s just another step in showing that the powerhouses of European car manufacturing see their future in Asia and are prepared to do more than just export luxury models.
Source | CarBlogIndia
Seat to go to China, completes VAG offering
Reports that Seat is going to China have been confirmed by the head of VAG, China, Winifried Vahland, who says that it’s not a question of “if”, but rather “when”. The plan for the Seat brand in China will be revealed next week at the Guangzhou Auto Show, although its assumed that Seat will initially focus on the south of the country, where brands like Honda and Toyota are strong.
If Seat models are to be sold in China, it would complete the entire Volkswagen Group offering in that market, with everything from Bugatti to Skoda available. The name of the Chinese company that would partner in the Seat initiative has not been revealed, but Volkswagen’s ties with FAW and SAIC (the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) would indicate one of these two.
Source | Es.autoblog
Volkswagen Passat CC coming to China as Magotan CC
Volkswagen is to start producing the Passat CC in China next year, with FAW Group to handle the production. The Passat CC will be known as the Magotan CC on the Chinese market, and while specs are not available, it is likely to be equipped with a 1.8 TSI or 2.0 TSI, also to be built in China.
The Magotan CC should prove to be a lower-spec model, with the Passat CC currently housing a 3.6-litre engine. It will join a number of Volkswagen models already being produced in China, including the Polo, Touran, Golf, New Bora and Jetta, among others. A3 and Skoda Yeti production will also start soon in China, as the Volkswagen Group portfolio further expands in that market.
Source | 4WheelsNews
Volkswagen China sales out-do Germany
Reports yesterday show that Volkswagen Group is enjoying impressive sales in China. In fact, for the first time, Chinese sales of its cars outstripped those in its home market of Germany. Volkswagen sold 652,000 cars in China in the first half of this year, selling 631,900 in Germany for the same period.
Compared to the first half of 2008, the figures are a 22.7 percent increase in sales in China, and an 18.3 percent increase in Germany. The economic crisis is still biting elsewhere though, with a five percent slump in global demand, particularly in the North American market.
The figures are for the Volkswagen group and therefore include the entire product range of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini.
Source | Left Lane News
Photo | Flickr
Chinese Flying Spur from Huatai
We have occasionally touched on the topic of Chinese auto copies previously, and here is another example. Manufacturer Hautai has produced this Chinese version of the Flying Spur.
The Beijing company seems to have produced these designs on the back of a surge in sales for Bentley, more than a 150 percent increase compared to April last year. The Chinese sedan is currently in the form of a concept car, but we imagine it won’t take much to see this in production.
MG6 concept to debut in Shanghai
After announcing the presentation of the Roewe N1 at the Shanghai Motor Show, SAIC (Shanghai Auto) has revealed that a new prototype will also be presented, with the MG brand. It will be an MG6 Concept based on the Roewe 550.
The style is definitely interesting, with a liftback five-door sedan and an attractive sloping roof line. The MG Concept rendering is quite impressive, and we hope to see it faithfully reproduced in the real thing.
No further details are currently available, but it’s not difficult to imagine a production future for the model, in addition to possible European sales as well, where the MG6 could arrive with a modern 1.8 litre turbo engine.
Source | CarScoop
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