Spy Shots: FAW Toyota RAV4 out testing in Zhuhai

With the launch date of FAW Toyota RAV4 approaching, the information of RV4 is also increasing. Recently, some enthusiasm readers found Toyota RAV4 out testing near a racetrack in Zhuhai, Guangdong provicne. From the spy photo we should notice that it must be the final version to be launched.

The China-made TOYOTA RAV4 will equips the TOYOTA CAMRY 2.0L/2.4L engine, automatic and manual versions both available.

Campared with the imported TOYOTA RAV4, the China-made RAV4 doesn’t equip the CAMRY2.5L engine, but plus a manual transmission.

source: Auto.163.com

FAW to launch 2.5L Mazda6 soon

Reported by Xinhua, FAW is set to launch three 2.5L versions of the second-generation Mazda6 on April 12 and priced about $29,300.

Revamped from the previous mazda6 that will continue its production, the new Mazda6 has many upgrades in its exterior design, craftsmanship, performance, and even its name. In early September 2008, Mazda announced the new Mazda6′s Chinese name Ruiyi (“Wise Wing”) for the Chinese market.

Offering plenty of Mazda’s trade-mark “Zoom Zoom” concept, Ruiyi inherits the first generation Mazda 6′s sporty performance and high-tech features and also combines convenience, safety, with eco-friendliness together.

source: Xinhuanet.com / Gasgoo.com

BYD electric car will head to U.S. by 2011, not change

BYD still promises EVs will be sold in the U.S. by 2011. BYD has made bold statements before regarding when their vehicles would go on sale in the U.S., but this time they seem to stand behind their release stating that they will bring electric vehicles to the U.S. by 2011.

Recently, BYD announced plans to sell to PHEV similar to the Chevy Volt called the F6DM for under $22,000 and they also plan to sell a crossover utility vehicle here called the BYD e6 for around $30,000. The BYD e6 is capable of traveling up to 250 miles on a single charge. For a comparison, the Volt is only expected to travel 40 miles on all electric power.

Since BYD is the second largest rechargeable battery producer in the world they have a step up on most of the competition in terms of battery capability and production. BYD’s general manager Henry Z Li said, “Battery technology and motor control are the key to this vehicle (e6), we have quite a lot of experience and know how in this process.”

source: All Cars Electric

Chery sales status in February

Chery sales February

Chery Cross: 786 units
Chery Riich 2: 781 units
Chery Karry: 58 units
Chery A1: 1034 units
Chery A3: 3098 units
Chery A5: 3889 units
Chery QQ3: 10076 units
Chery QQ6: 2579 units
Chery Eastar: 206 units
Chery Qiyun: 4099 units
Chery Tiggo: 2083 units

Source: CPCA

Chery’s luxury brand: Chery Riich is ready

Xinhua said yesterday that Chery is set to release its luxury car brand Riich (Ruiqi) on March 18, with six models to go on sale in the high-end auto market.

Chery Riich was said to have much in common with Bentley, like logo, especially featuring the renowned Bentley wing signature design for a dapper and refined look. This design is shared by other luxury brands as well, such as Chrysler and Aston Martin. In the middle of the Chery luxury-brand’s wing-like logo is a letter “R” (of Riich), just as the “B” of Bentley.

source: xinhua / gasgoo

Great Wall Moto launched CoolBear on Chengdu yesterday

March 10th, Great Wall Moto launched its “Fashion Beyond, C-class Ready” car CoolBear on Chengdu, Sichuan province, priced between 60, 390 RMB and 70, 790RMB (1USD = 6.8USD). There are three colors, jewel-light black, astro-blue and star-light silver.

source: auto.163.com

BAIC Foton to produce pure electric car by the year end

March 6, BAIC Foton spokesman told reporters that Foton will produce pure electric car by the end of this year. The new model uses lithium battery and will based on the Mini car that Foton have launched last year.

Foton spokesman introduced that the new pure electric car can travel 100km – 150km for a single recharge, and 4 – 5 hours would accomplish a full recharge.

source: CYOL.net

FAW Volkswagen to produce Audi Q5 SUV

Sources from FAW Volkswagen Audi Group, Audi Q5 SUV will be produced in China by October, Q5 will be be the third model produced in China following by A4 and A6.

The production starting time was confirmed in October. Audi insiders said that Audi will imports a number of Q5 models for domestic sales before it come to production. Q5 is the second Audi SUV after the Q7, size small than the Q7, positioning in the high-end medium-sized SUV, the biggest competitor is BMW X3.

source: Beijing Times

Chinese automaker may be the buyer of last resort for Ford Volvo

Ford Motor needs money and is almost certainly willing to sell Volvo to add cash to its balance sheet. A Chinese car company may be willing to oblige. According to The Times, “Geely Automotive, a Chinese car manufacturer, has appointed NM Rothschild to advise on a possible bid for loss-making Volvo.”

China is one of the few places with potential buyers of Western auto company assets. The central government can make capital available since China has built up a tremendous balance sheet of its own after having years of trade surpluses.

Because of the wealth of the Chinese government, it can afford to play a long-term game that other governments or private enterprises cannot. It may be willing to wait out the revival of the car markets in the US, UK, and EU and be one of the few that has enough capacity and capital to quickly meet the demand of an improving economic environment. Even if it takes two or three years, China has the time and the money.

From: Daily Finance

FAW to launch Red Flag HQE in September

Recently, sources revealed that FAW to launch domestic autonomy limousine Red Flag(Hongqi) HQE  in September this year, its first mission is used as President Hu Jintao’s parade car in the coming 60th national day anniversary celebration.

Although Red Flag is also a Chinese Own brand, but mostly its different from Chery, Geely or some else. Red Flag cars are more representative of the country’s image, also speaking for the Chinese people’s deep feelings.

But over the past decade,  Red Flag entered a confused period, constant at imitating others: Audi version of Red Flag Mingshi / 18, Lincoln version of Red Flag flagship , Toyota version of Red Flag HQ3, and these cars in the market’s performance is not good. Debuted as a concept car on 2005 Shanghai Auto Show, the Red HQE gave people a glimmer of hope, the front side of the middle of the red flag seems to show at China’s autonomous industries. Now, this super limousine is about to launch,  we expected!

source: che168.com