Spy Shot: Brilliance A4 Sedan without Camouflage
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
The first picture of the new sedan from Brilliance which will replace the BS4. The new car is codenamed A4 andwill be sold as a ’sport sedan’. The A4 stands on a new platform that will also carry an A3 suv. Engines: 1.4, 1.6 and likely a 1.8 as well. Pic above is mirrored for some unknown reason, there are no plans yet for export to left-driving countries. The A4 will debut on the Chinese market before the end of the year.
Two Million Jetta’s made in China, VW celebrates with special edition
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
The good old Jetta is still rolling of the line in China, made by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture. In 20 years they made 2 million Jetta’s, VW will celebrate in April with a special edition called the ‘New Jetta 2 Million’. It gets a special paint and a more luxurious interior. The ’2 Million’ will likely debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
Geely to enter World Top 500 Enterprises: President
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
Geely plans to become one of the top 500 enterprises in the world this year, according to Yang Jian, president of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
According to Yang, Geely’s sales volume in 2010 surpassed 415,000 units, realizing last year’s target. The company has also made great breakthroughs in overseas M&A (merging and acquisition), brand image building, zero-defect system, talent education, etc.
Dongfeng-Peugeot-Citroën recalls 38,000 cars in China
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Co. started the recall of two models from Saturday, a total of 37,699 units, according to a circular released on the website of China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
Ssangyong Motor returns to China
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
Aided by Indian multinational conglomerate Mahindra which acquired 70 percent of its shares in February 2011, South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor Company is back in the Chinese market for the first time since it was plagued by strikes two years ago, auto.163 reported Monday.
Liu Dingfeng, Korean, will act as general manager of the new company in Shanghai and Xu Boqing will be the new deputy manager in charge of marketing and sales. Liu said the company has pinned Shanghai as its headquarters and will set up branches in Beijing in the future.
Daimler, BYD move toward new electric brand in China
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
Chinese authorities recently granted a business license to Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co Ltd, the new joint venture between Daimler AG and BYD Co Ltd formed to develop an electric vehicle specifically for the China market.
The contract for the 50-50 partnership was signed in May to create an R&D operation with registered capital of 600 million yuan.
“We’ve now had the green light to move ahead – and are especially pleased to receive the business license just a few months after signing the contract,” said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Dongfeng Motor Februari sales up 29.8%
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor sold 19,540 vehicles in February, up 29.8 percent year-on-year, figures released on Saturday showed. Dongfeng’s auto output in February reached 18,250 units, an increase of 11.3 percent from a year earlier, the company said in a report to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Volvo recalls 750 XC60 vehicles in China
Published on March 7, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
Volvo will recall 750 of its XC60 vehicles on the Chinese mainland starting next Monday, China’s quality watchdog said on Friday.
The recall will involve those XC60 2.0T vehicles built between Oct 14 and Dec 1 last year, the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement posted on its website.
Citroën DS5 Production Version will debut at the Shanghai Auto Show
Published on March 4, 2011 by W.E. Ning
The production version of the new Citroën DS5 will have its worldwide debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April. Production will start first in France and sometime in 2012 in China by the Chang’an-Citroën-Peugeot joint venture, aka Chang’an-PSA. 
Citroën will eventually make all DS’s in China; the DS3, now imported, the DS4, DS5 and likely a big sedan based on the Metropolis showcar.
Spy Shots: Citroën DS4 testing in China
Published on March 4, 2011 by Tycho de Feyter
The new Citroën DS4 will launch in Europe later this year. It will be made in China as well, by the new Chang’an-Citroën-Peugeot joint venture, aka Chang’an-PSA. One white example was seen testing on Chinese roads. Citroën will make all DS-cars with Chang’an and not with the existing joint venture with Dongfeng Automotive. Read more »
