Chery plans to produce passenger vehicles in Belarus

Chery Automobile Co and Belarus’ MAZ will prepare a business plan to produce passenger vehicles in Belarus this April, reported Prime-Tass, quoting Sergei Varivoda, the chairman of the Council of Distributors of Chinese cars in Minsk, as saying on Thursday.

“Talks are taking place at government’s level. Taking part in the negotiations was Belarus’ First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko, representatives with the Industry Ministry and top management of MAZ and Chery Automobile,” said Varivoda.

“They were satisfied with the preliminary results and agreed to prepare a business plan by April,” Varivoda told the news agency. No production volumes or sales have been decided.

He believes that there would be a huge demand for locally built Chinese cars in Belarus, referring to a questionnaire survey which showed that the number of Belarusians willing to buy Belarus-built Chinese vehicles is 18 times as big as the number of those in favor of imported ones.

source: gasgoo.com

Chery to enter Taiwan auto market

Taiwan’s Prince Motors plans to introduce car models the island from mainland China’s biggest private carmaker Chery Auto, according to Taiwan Daily.

Shengrong Auto, a subsidiary of Prince Motors, has confirmed its cooperation with Chery and will take part in the Taipei Auto Show at the end of this year with new Chery models.

The report pointed out that as Taiwan hasn’t allowed the completed cars imports from the mainland under its existing laws, Shengrong Auto is approved to cooperate with Chery Auto.

Most components of Chery cars for sale in Taiwan are expected to be imported directly from the mainland initially. Shengrong will assemble Chery models through local factories in Taiwan and will sell the models under its own sales outlets.

Chery Auto, famous for its mini car QQ selling in mainland China, is expected to introduce this low-priced car model to Taiwan.

source: gasgoo.com

Breaking News: Chery may acquire Europe automakers?

CHERY Automobile Co, China’s largest maker of own-brand cars, may consider acquisitions in Europe to help expand overseas as domestic demand reverses.

“There is a possibility for us to acquire some European auto companies with long histories,” Jin Yibo, a Chery spokesman, said by phone yesterday, confirming comments by President Yin Tongyao that were reported by China Automotive News. Jin declined to name the firms that Chery may buy. Ford Motor Co has approached Chery and other Chinese auto makers as it tries to sell its Sweden-based Volvo Car unit, according to three people familiar with the discussions.

source: CheryGlobal.com

Chinese automaker to buy GM Hummer? Not Yet!

SICHUAN Automobile Industry Group, a small sport-utility vehicle maker in central China, denied a report saying it is in talks to buy General Motors’ Hummer.

The car maker said it has no interest in buying overseas brands and it would focus on its own development.

Earlier Bloomberg News reported Sichuan Auto is considering buying GM’s Hummer line for US$500 million after the United States car maker announced the SUV brand was for sale.

Chengdu-based Sichuan Auto, a privately held company, sells vehicles under the “Yema” or “Wild Horse” brand name.
Last year, state-owned SUV maker Hunan Changfeng Motor Co was also reportedly pursuing a possible acquisition of the Hummer line, but later withdrew its offer. Mid-sized auto maker Geely Automobile Holdings denied rumors it was considering buying Ford Motor Co’s Volvo unit.

Chery S18: China’s first micro electronic sedan on producing

February 16th,  Chery announced Chery S18 was come to produce, it disclose the prelude of the mass production of Chery electronic cars.

Chery S18 is China’s first electronic car based on micro sedans,  its expected that S18 will be able to travel 120km on a single charge, that would already enough for daily uses on cities. For the latest news of Chery S18 please pay attention to our reports.

Dongfeng coupe and another 3 new models to launch on Shanghai auto show

As one of the “Big Three” Chinese automakers, Dongfeng seems a bit slowly to launch new sedans, rely on Peugeot, Citroen, Nissan as joint ventures, but do nothing in owned-brand sedans, what may you think of it? Bad, very bad. However, this bad situation would change a bit since the new Dongfeng models are now coming.

1. Dongeng Coupe: The first Coupe from Dongfeng, looks like Porsche Cayman.

Read more →

Owned-Brand models to highlight Shanghai auto show

09′ Shanghai Auto Show will be held from April 22nd to April 28th, new domestically made cars set to show off:

• Lifan 320 – Lifan’s most (in)famous model
• Chery S16/QQ5 – As known as “Chinese beetles“
• FAW Toyota RAV4 – Once imported, now domestically made to go up against the Honda CRV, and the Qashqai
• Dongfeng Citroen C5 (Fengshen)- The C5 is finally to be made in China, and possibly its Peugeot cousin.
• BYD F5 – BYD’s new compact model
• Shanghai VW NMS – (New Midsize Sedan) Another new sedan from Volkswagen.
• BYD M6 - BYD’s first MPV.
• Guangzhou Toyota Highlander – The large SUV is set to be produced in China, alongside the RAV4.
• Guangzhou New Honda Odyssey – Will be the US version of the  Odyssey
• Beijing Hyundai i30 – A new compact from Hyundai
• MG6 – the hatchback brother of the Roewe 550, the most anticipated car of the show, the first MG to be launched in many years.

BYD’s 6 new models in ’09

BYD F8 convertible: China’s first self produced hard top convertible.

BYD F6DM: A hybrid model of the F6 sedan.

BYD E6: A pure electric crossover.

BYD M6: BYD’s first MPV.

BYD F5: New compact sedan.

BYD F4: New compact sedan.

source: chinacartimes.com

Spy shots: New campaign-style Toyota Camry

GAW(Guangzhou Autoworks) Toyota Camry is no doubt to list on Feb. 18, recently, we received a number of spy photos from our enthusiastic readers again: The 09′ Toyota Camry.
From the spy photos we can clearly distinguish the 09′ Camry’s shapes, it equips the same grille as Toyota REIZ, headlights are totally new versions, foglights and inlet holes under the bumper have a bit changes. However, the interior photo has not yet been spied, the power system may not be much change, it appears that the new campaign-style Camry has only appearance changes.

[View with PicLens]

Buick LaCrosse to show off on April’ Shanghai auto show

News broke long time ago that the new generation Buick LaCrosse will show off in the April’ Shanghai Auto Show, and then come to mass production and launch in the third quarter.

Notes:

The LaCrosse made its debut in late 2004 as a 2005 model with the intention of replacing the Century and Regal midsize cars with a single model. Riding on a revised version of the W-body known as MS2000, the LaCrosse was initially available with two powerplant choices in three trim levels: a 3.8 L 3800 Series III V6 available in base CX and mid-level CXL forms, and a 3.6 L HFV6 V6 in the top line CXS model. Power is routed to the front wheels via a 4T65-E automatic transmission (4T65-E HD on Super’s). Many former Regal owners were disappointed that key features had not been carried over, but with the exception of reduced knee room and folding mirrors all features have been made available. For 2008 the LaCrosse was facelifted, with the most noticeable change being that of replacing the old oval grille with a chrome u-shaped waterfall style grille. 2008 model year also introduced the LaCrosse Super, featuring a smallblock V8 engine, which replaces the previously top-of-the-line CXS model. The last first-generation LaCrosse rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2008.