Berichten in January 2013
Will the real Smart please Rise?
Published on January 31, 2013 by Tycho de Feyter
A great combination of vehicles, seen in the Sanlitun embassy district in central Beijing by reader Ali Khalili, thank you for the picture! Across the street a real Smart ForTwo, in front a Shuanghuan Noble. Oh no now I mix them up, it’s the other way around. Shuanghuan always said the Noble wasn’t a copy of the Smart because it had the engine up front. Indeed…
Spotted in China: W140 Mercedes-Benz S600
Published on January 31, 2013 by Tycho de Feyter
That day I met the most beautiful W140 Mercedes Benz S-Class I had ever seen in China. The mighty S600 was parked on a street near my home, on a sunny day on slowly melting snow. The great vehicle was in perfect condition; no rust, no rot, and no missing parts.
US approves Wanxiang’s purchase of A123
Published on January 31, 2013 by W.E. Ning
A US government panel has approved the purchase by China’s biggest auto parts maker, Wanxiang Group, of nearly all the assets of A123 Systems Inc, a Massachusetts-based maker of electric-car batteries that declared bankruptcy last year.
Ni Pin, president of the Chinese company’s US subsidiary, Wanxiang America, said company lawyers were working on final details of the $257 million deal at a court-supervised bankruptcy auction in December.
China’s Brilliance Auto targets 14.6% growth in car sales in 2013
Published on January 31, 2013 by W.E. Ning
Brilliance Auto Group aims to sell 770,000 vehicles this year, which would represent a year-on-year growth of 14.6 percent, according to a company report.
The company also plans to export 70,000 vehicles, an increase of 57.1 percent year-on-year. The company’s main products — the Jinbei minibuses and light trucks — are exported to over 50 countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
Crash Time China: Lamborghini Gallardo hits Trees
Published on January 31, 2013 by Tycho de Feyter
An orange Lamborghini Gallardo crashed into trees on a rainy road in the countryside near the great city of Neijiang in Sichuan Province. The Lambo was launched into the bushes, hit several trees, spun, and finally came to a stop. Fortunately nobody got seriously injured. Read more »
Spy Shots: facelifted Volvo S80L seen testing in China again
Published on January 31, 2013 by W.E. Ning
New spy shots yet again of the facelifted Volvo S80L testing in China. The first time we saw the facelifted S80L was back in January last year, at that time it was expected to debut on the April 2012 Beijing Auto Show, but it didn’t. Chinese media now say the vehicle will debut on the Shanghai Auto Show in April. The delay is likely caused by engine troubles. Read more »
Spy Shots: Haima M8 testing in the Snow in China
Published on January 31, 2013 by Joey Wang
New spy shots of the production version of the upcoming Haima M8 sedan, seen testing in the snow without any camouflage. The Haima M8, formerly known as the Haima Yao, is a new mid-size sedan that will be launched on the China car market next year. Power will come from a 175hp 1.8 turbo, mated to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Read more »
Lamborghini Gallardo is matte black & a bit Bling in China
Published on January 31, 2013 by Tycho de Feyter
A Lamborghini Gallardo wrapped in matte black and sexed up with some Bling, seen in my very own street in the Capital Beijing. Lambo looked kinda lost at this particular location, nobody looked at it at all, maybe this wrap was at bit too stealthy… Black alloys very good! Now, Bling: Read more »
Spy Shots: Volkswagen Sagitar GLI seen testing in China
Published on January 31, 2013 by Joey Wang
New spy shots from the Volkswagen Sagitar GLI (not:GTI), an extra sporty variant of the Volkswagen Sagitar sedan that will debut on the Shanghai auto Show and April, and it will be launched on the Chinese auto market around the same time.
First Fisker Karma seen on the Road in China
Published on January 31, 2013 by Tycho de Feyter
A surprising sight in the great city of Shanghai, a Fisker Karma driving in the center ow town. We have seen the Karma before but only during tests and without license plates. The Shanghai car has valid standard license plates, meaning the Karma must have been certified for the road.
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