Chery was approved to bid for Ford Volvo

China’s top economic planner has approved of Chery Auto’s plan to buy the Volvo, Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported today.

The media report added that another Dongfeng Motor has also submitted its Volvo-bidding plan to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). However, the Chery’s spokesman denied it.

Ford put Volvo up for sale late last year to raise cash, but has found little interest in the brand, because many potential buyers are facing similar crisis and the nearly $6 billion needed for buying Volvo is a prohibitive price for most carmakers.

source: gasgoo.com

Buy used cars or rent cars in China? Easier!

China will make efforts to stimulate auto purchases by measures such as expanding the second-hand vehicle market and auto leasing business, said Premier Wen Jiabao in the “Government Work Report” speech he delivered at the opening of the second session of the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) on Thursday.

The measures are part of the government’s effort to forge a healthy consumption pattern in the auto market, and thus to stimulate consumer spending and drive economic growth.

China’s automobile industry sales growth slowed to 6.7% in 2008, putting an end to at least five years of double-digit growth, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed.

A total of 9.38 million vehicles were sold last year, of which passenger vehicle sales rose 7.27% to 6.76 million units and commercial vehicles rose 5.25% to 2.62 million units, according to the association.

More measures are included in the report such as encouraging retailers to open stores in more townships and villages, allocating 43 billion yuan in subsidies for building low-rent housing, expanding people’s consumption in culture, recreation, tourism, the Internet and animation.

source: xinhua

Geely and Dongfeng denied bidding for GM Saab

Geely and Dongfeng said on Wednesday that they have not held any talks over a possible bid for General Motors’ Saab brand, reported by Reuters.

A Dongfeng spokesman added he was unaware of any interest by his company in bidding for the Saab brand. And a senior Geely executive, when asked about his company’s possible acquisition of Saab or other brands, told reporters: “No, we did not. We’re not interested in Saab or the other brands out there.”

Sources with direct knowledge of the process told Reuters on Tuesday that the Saab brand of GM had received interest from several potential bidders, including Geely and Dongfeng.

Media reports have also said Geely was in preliminary talks with Ford Motor about the sale of the U.S. automaker’s Volvo car unit, although a Geely spokesman said yesterday they had no plans to buy Volvo.

So are Geely after Volvo, or is it SAAB today, or perhaps both?

source: Reuters

Great Wall new models plan, high-end SUV to launch next year?

1.To launch low emissions sedans, B and C class sedans are on planning.

The coming Great Wall CooBear

2. To launch Cross-country SUV, new Great Wall SUV: Great Wall K5 is to launch on June, to launch hign-end SUV by next year.

Great Wall Mini SUV

3. To launch high-end Pickup

Fengjun Pickup

source: auto.163

Breaking: Great Wall Moto successfully developed new pure electric car

Recently, Great Wall Moto has successfully developed a new double-seat pure electric car. According to reports, this new electric car could drives on an everage speed of 65 m/h, can travel 140 km on a single battery recharge, 10 minutes can accomplish charging 70%.  Moreover, its zero pollution, zero emissions and low operating cost.

source: xinhuanet.com

Brilliance Auto highlights the Geneva auto show

Brilliance Auto is one of the few Chinese carmakers displaying their vehicles at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, the most important auto show in Europe.

Brilliance Auto, which began to target the European market three years ago, has been attending the Geneva show since 2007. This year it is showing four models in Geneva, including its Junjie brand’s sporty BS4 wagon (1.8T MT), BS2 FRV, BS6 midsize sedan, and a Zunchi model.

Brilliance’s show stage, colored in red, white and black as the colors of its car models on display, is in the second pavilion, close to the stages of Subaru, Seat, Techart, and Calsson.

The Geneva Motor Show opened exclusively to media yesterday. It opened to the public today and will last until March 15.

[January 2009] China car sales report: Kei cars and mini cars

In the mini car segment, the Chinese manufacturers rule the roost. The Chinese manufacturers have managed to combine style and economy, and the ability to pump out thousands of the cars per month to satisfy a gigantic demand for these types of cars.

source: chinacartimes

[January 2009] China car sales report: Compact Sedans

As you can see, the compact car segment is one of the hottest car segments in China, with many models selling over 3000 cars per month, and also many manufacturers hitting over 10,000 sales. The Nissan Tiida range seems to be performing extremely well as the product matures, and prices fall. The Ford Focus has taken a hit in January despite the new model being launched.

source: chinacartimes

[January 2009] China car sales report: Mid Size Sedans

French cars in this segment don’t sell particularly well, could the Chinese be buying politically? Probably not – otherwise they wouldn’t buy the best selling Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The new Buick Regal hasn’t made a great splash into the market as was expected, but it is doing okay when compared to the Germans models such as the C-Class, the A4 and 3-Series

source: chinacartimes

[January 2009] China car sales report: Full Size Sedans

Since BMW launched a stretched BMW 5-Series, sales have been rather stable, but its still no Audi beater. E-Class sales are still rather low. The 300C has finally gone out of production in China, probably due to its low sales which saw 0 cars sold in Jan ’09.

source: chinacartimes