Berichten in May 2012
BMW opens new plant in Shenyang, China
Published on May 29, 2012 by W.E. Ning
BMW Brilliance Automotive officially opened its new plant in Tiexi district of the Liaoning provincial capital Shenyang on May 24, marking a new milestone in the automaker’s localization in China.
As the newest member of BMW’s global production network, the Tiexi plant combines the advanced technology of today and the environmentally friendly production for which BMW Group is famed. The company said the facility has further enhanced the position of China in BMW Group’s worldwide strategy and the overall strength of BMW in the Chinese premium market. Read more »
BYD says e6 electric car is safe after deadly crash in China
Published on May 29, 2012 by W.E. Ning
BYD, the Chinese auto maker backed by Warren Buffett, said Tuesday its e6 electric car, one of which caught fire in a collision Saturday, has passed all tests required by relevant authorities.
The Chinese car maker said in a statement that the batteries used by e6 electric cars have undergone abuse tests and the battery modules didn’t ignite on 50% deformation. The e6 vehicle that caught fire killed three people in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. Read more »
Infiniti to start making cars in China from 2014
Published on May 29, 2012 by Joey Wang
Nissan will start making Infiniti cars at a 2-billion-yuan ($315 million) plant in China from 2014 as it moves to challenge the dominance of German rivals in the world’s largest auto market.
Chinese-made Infiniti cars would put Nissan on a more level playing field with Audi, Mercedes Benz and BMW, which have been making cars in China for years, industry observers say. Imported Infiniti cars have been available in China since 2007.
Shanghai-Volkswagen starts work on new Factory in Xinjiang, China
Published on May 29, 2012 by Joey Wang
Shanghai-Volkswagen started work on a new factory in Xinjiang Province. The central Chinese government wants to develop the far and barren area and the one thing they need most is work for the restive local population. For work, they need investment but many private Chinese companies don’t want to go, fearing obstacles ranging from security issues to language-problems.
State-owned companies however can be forced to go, and this is where Shanghai-Volkswagen comes in. Rumors-that-are-likely-to-be-true say the joint venture didn’t have a choice than to built the factory. Well, let’s say it was a politically smart idea to do it… Capacity will be only 50.000 cars a year in 2014. Read on for a report from China’s state media:
China-made Ford Kuga will hit the Chinese car market in early 2013
Published on May 29, 2012 by Joey Wang
Full production of the China-made Ford Kuga will start in November and the Kuga will be launched on the Chinese car market in early 2013. Pre-production has started already, we have seen the Kuga several times testing on Chinese roads.
Spy Shots: facelifted Chery Fulwin 2 hatchback, interior
Published on May 29, 2012 by W.E. Ning
The Chery Fulwin 2 hatchback and sedan will get a facelift, the new Fullwins will debut in the second half of this year. New spy shot of the hatch show a much sharper design inside and out. Chery didn’t really try to hide it anymore, nose and back were covered with just a thin layer of what seems to be toilet paper.
Bentley launches Weibo-app for the EXP 9 F SUV in China
Published on May 29, 2012 by Tycho de Feyter
Weibo is the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, zillions of young Chinese use it every day to comment on the news, on new products and on almost everything else. Cars are a hot topic so most automakers got their own ‘Weibo’. Bentley got one too and here things get extra interesting because the brand has launched a new Weibo-app for the EXP 9 F concept called ‘EXP Lab’.
Great Wall Haval H7 will hit the Chinese car market in 2013
Published on May 28, 2012 by Joey Wang
The new Great Wall Haval H7 SUV debuted last month at the Beijing Auto Show. Great Wall said at the time the H7 would be launched on the Chinese car market in late 2012. Chinese media however reports today that the H7 is delayed one full year until the end of 2013. Very strange indeed because the H7 seemed completely production-ready.
Spotted in China: Buick Sail S-RV wagon
Published on May 28, 2012 by Tycho de Feyter
This is a Buick Sail S-RV wagon, seen today at a car parts market in Beijing. The Buick Sail S-RV was basically a rebadged Opel Corsa Wagon, brought to China in 2001 because GM was desperate to sell a cheap car on the Chinese market. The Sail, sedan and wagon, were made by the Shanghai-GM joint venture. In 2005 the Buick Sail became the Chevrolet Sail when GM took the Buick brand upmarket. The Corsa-Chevy continued all the way until 2009 when it was finally replaced with the new Sail which was facelifted last year.
Chery QQ3 is a Transformer in China
Published on May 28, 2012 by Tycho de Feyter
Here we have a fine red Chery QQ3 with a Transformer badge on the bonnet, it is an Autobot so fortunately this QQ3 is on the good side. But is it?
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