Berichten in August 2010
Stunt Driving a Wuling Mianbaoche
Published on August 14, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
Ken who? This mr. Wang from China can do amazing things with a Wuling ZW1010PC Mianbaoche, that is a minivan. Power goes to the tiny front wheels… Enjoy the madness:
SouEast V3 is OUT and ready to Eat ya’
Published on August 13, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
SouEast makes various Mitsubishi’s for the Chinese market and also makes vehicles under the SouEast-name, all based on Mitsubishi platforms.
The V3 is a compact sedan based on the old Lancer. It costs between 64.800 and 87.900 yuan and is meant as a sporty machine for the young and cool in the not so developed areas of China.
SouEast doesn’t sell very well in da cities ’cause the cool there consider SouEast old. Weird name doesn’t help either. The V3 comes with a not too cool 1.5 with 120hp and 143nm. However, a faster-looking and maybe faster-going V3 seems to be on its way.
BMW M3 Tiger Edition for China
Published on August 13, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
Better late than never, so must have thought BMW China. The year of the Tiger started at February 14 and now BMW brought a special Tiger Edition M3 to the market. Engine is the same, all changes are for the eye only. It got a special bright paint called ‘fire orange’ because tigers are orange, it got tiger-pics stitched in the headrests and some more.
The M3 Tiger Edition will be limited to 250 cars, BMW will likely sell’m out yesterday, Chinese love special editions and even more when it is a China-only special edition. BMW knows, they did the same thing with the Shanghai-expo special editions.
Geely-Emgrand EC825 to be Listed on August 20
Published on August 12, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
It has taken ‘m a while but the Geely-Emgrand EC825 will finally be listed on August 20. It is Geely’s first step into a more upmarket territory, the next EC825 will by la way likely get Volvo engines. This one though will have to do with Geely’s own 2.0 and a Mitsubishi-sourced 2.4. Price will start around 125.000 yuan.
Honda to make CR-Z and Insight Hybrids in China
Published on August 12, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
Honda has decided to make to CR-Z and Insight hybrids in China, likely with joint venture partner Guangzhou Auto. To keep costs low Honda wants to source the expensive batteries locally instead of importing them from Japan. Honda is currently looking for a Chinese battery-supplier. Guess they thought about BYD… It is so not exactly sure when production will start, but Honda thinks 2012 must be possible.
Chrysler Sales in China up 40%
Published on August 12, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
Chrysler sold 40% more vehicles in China over the first half year compared with 2009. In absolute numbers it is still very small: only 11.000. From those, 10.000 were imported cars, mostly from the Jeep-brand, and 1000 were Dodge Caravans from Chryslers lone joint venture in China with SouEast Auto. A good sign for Chrysler and new Fiat-ownership will likely see them getting a new factory in China soon.
Volkswagen ‘Passat Variant’ Listed in China
Published on August 11, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
Volkswagen brought the Passat Variant to the Chinese market as an imported car. But it’s not called ‘Passat Variant’ but simply ‘Variant’. VW still makes the old Passat in China so the Passat-name can’t be used.
VW also makes the new Passat in China and that one is called ‘Magotan’. Since the Variant is imported and so a more expensive car it can’t be named ‘Magotan Variant’. VW then choose for ‘Variant’ alone, Luxingjiao in Chinese. It costs between 340.000 and 371.500 yuan.
A huge prenium above the 19.3800 to 263.800 for the China-made Magotan which is basically the same car. VW might sell some to the very few who really want a made-in-Germany Volkswagen staionwagon.
Renderings: BYD G6 sedan
Published on August 11, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
BYD is working on a new flagship sedan and it will look like this rendering, a civilized automobile without much to get excited about. Details are few but we know it will get a 2.0 and esp. The BYD G6 will likely debut as a concept at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2011.
Citroën c-Elysée wants to be a Jaguar
Published on August 10, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
Seen close to my office in Beijing, a Dongfeng-Citroën c-Elysée with a Jaguar statue on la bonnet. The Citroën c-Elysée is based on the Dongfeng-Citroën Fukang which is based on the Citroën ZX. The Fukang and c-Elysée are both still in production in China, they come though, without the Jag.
GM aplies for Patent on Opel Insignia OPC in China
Published on August 10, 2010 by Tycho de Feyter
GM applied for patent on the Opel Insignia OPC in China. Note the missing logo, they won’t sell it branded as ‘Opel’. The Insignia is made in China by Shanghai-GM and sold as Buick Regal, so any fast version would likely be branded Buick as well. But there is something strange with the front of the car…
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