China Auto Sales Up in July, Chinese Brands Lagging Behind Germans
By Ash on Aug 09, 2013 05:43 pm China Association of Auto Manufacturers (CAAM) announced today that July 2013 Auto Sales reached 1.51 million vehicles, an increase of 9.93% over the same period in 2012. Total vehicle production reached 1.58 million vehicles, a slight drop of 5.43% over June but a 10.18% increase over the same period in 2012. In the first seven months of 2013 production of vehicles in China reached 12.33 million vehicles whilst 12.229 million vehicles were sold, an increase of 12.46% and 12.02% respectively. Passenger car production accounted for 9.96 million and sales reached 9.90 million units, an increase of 13.41% and 13.37%. Chinese brands accounted for sales of 195,800 vehicles in July, a drop of 15.74% month to month but a slight year on year increase of 2.68%, sedans/hatchbacks accounted for 23.29%. German car sales accounted for 223,500 units, Japanese branded cars reached 165,800 units, American branded cars reached 139,600 Korean cars sold 79,800 units and French cars sold 33,100 units account for 26.60%, 19.73%, 16.61%, 9.49% and 3.94% respectively. In the first...
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Tax Planning is Crucial for Automakers in China
By William Zhang on Aug 09, 2013 04:37 pm China is now emerging as the epicentre of the global automotive industry, with growth being fuelled by rapid upskilling and development of its abundant workforce, as well as growing demand from an increasingly affluent middle class. It is a dynamic market with a solid domestic base, and one that provides plentiful opportunities for foreign car makers to succeed. However, China's auto industry is not without challenges for foreign players and taxation is among the major concerns. Close scrutiny by the authorities With efforts to increase China's tax base, tax authorities tend to apply a market premium to the profits of the Chinese subsidiaries of foreign automakers, using transfer pricing rules as justification. The argument goes like this: China has unique barriers to entry not commonly found in other international auto markets that effectively impose an implicit quota on the number of participants in the Chinese market. For foreign automakers already in the Chinese market, this reduced competition means that they are able to capture higher than average profits than in...
Read in browser » The China Auto Brand Quiz
By Ash on Aug 08, 2013 11:07 pm So you think you know your Chinese auto brands? This quiz will test your knowledge on all matters pertaining to the wonderful and slightly weird world of Chinese auto branding. Some manufacturers change their logos and branding more often than you change your socks which makes it hard to keep up to date with the latest trends. In this quiz, in the interest of making it a little more difficult we have removed the English or Chinese texts from the logo because it might be considered cheating otherwise. Let us know your score in the comments box!
Read in browser » Japanese Man Shouts Loyalty to China During Traffic Stop
By Ash on Aug 08, 2013 04:28 pm According to recent Chinese media reports which are either fact or fiction, a Japanese man was recently pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Zhengzhou City, on finding the Japanese gent in question only had a Japanese driving license on him rather than a Chinese driving license the traffic cop moved to confiscate his car as only Chinese licenses are valid for Chinese roads. Upon hearing the news, the Japanese gentlemen announced, by reportedly shouting, that: “Diaoyu Dao Islands belong to China!” as if that would make things better and help the policeman see the error of his ways. These watery rocks halfway between China and Japan have been a point of contention between the two countries over the past year, especially since Japan moved to nationalize the islands from their private Japanese owner in September 2012, as a result Anti-Japanese riots errupted on Chinese streets which ultimately only hurt Chinese interests. A slow boycott of Japanese goods has been going on for the past eleven months, with most...
Read in browser » BMW-Brilliance's First Car Looks a Yema Product
By FrankF on Aug 08, 2013 03:54 pm Plucky Sichuan based auto upstart, Sichuan Yema, which is trying to became the 2nd tier solution to Tesla is often mocked for its weird looking products that are built on the back of the 1980′s Austin Maestro that has changed more hands than a Beijing taxi cabs steering wheel. Chinese auto website, auto.163.com, have rendered the forthcoming BMW-Brilliance sub brand’s first product and seem to have looked to Yema for inspiration. The first product from the new brand, called Zhi Nuo in Chinese and Zinoro in English, is a pure electric BMW X1. We’re not sure if the BMW i3 and future i8 will fall under this brand but we suspect they might. Perhaps Auto.163 have over done the render, but it does give us a good idea what the future X1 will look like: A Yema.
Read in browser » Lovers in Chongqing Turn to Luxury Road Rage To Settle Dispute
By FrankF on Aug 08, 2013 03:25 pm A lovers quarrel in Chongqing spilled out of hand earlier today when the female owner of a Porsche Cayenne SUV rammed into the back of her boyfriends Maserati Quattraporte. Chinese media reports indicated that the two had just come out of the civil marriage registration office, indicating they had either just gotten married (and someone pulled out) or they had just cancelled a marriage, we think it was the latter. As for the car prices, the Porsche is a cool 2.15 million RMB and the 2010 Maseratti was somewhere in the 2.13 million to 2.79 million RMB area, so basically 4 million RMB’s (653,000USD) worth of metal smashing into each other over nothing. I wonder what the insurance company will say.
Read in browser » MG Announces MG3 Prices in the UK – #Fun Comes As Standard
By administrator on Aug 07, 2013 04:22 pm Watching MG developing in the UK has been an exercise in banging your head on the wall, repeatedly. First they launch (under Nanjing MG) launch a droptop roadster in the middle of winter at the same price as the previous MG-Rover price, then they launch a very elegant MG6 fastback with a thirsty turbo petrol engine in a market where diesel and frugality go hand in hand. And when they do launch the diesel, the marketing material shows it in a cloud of black smoke. Now MG seem to have finally scored a goal after so many own goals. The MG3 was initially rumored to be priced from 10,000GBP and rising, but in a surprise move the MG3 will finish at 9,999GBP for the top model. The 1.5L petrol engine is the only engine offered to date but we suspect other trim lines will be made available at a later date, 5 speed manual and automatic gearboxes are on offer. MG are aiming the 3 at the young crowd, which...
Read in browser » Telsa's Beijing Store Development is Well Under Way
By administrator on Aug 07, 2013 02:41 pm Much has been reported about Tesla’s plans to move into the Chinese luxury market with its current two car line up, reports either focus on the lack of charging infrastructure or China’s burgeoning luxury car segment which Audi and BMW and to some extent, Mercedes, have an iron grip on. Nothing has been mentioned about potential China wide store locations – remember that Tesla doesn’t operate in the normal car dealer sense, they have lifestyle showrooms like Apple where you can check out the products and buy direct from the manufacturer, cutting out any dealer hassle. According to a report from Mercury News, in which CCT’s own CharlieP comments in, Tesla are planning to open their first store in downtown Beijing. Why focus on Beijing first given the lack of love for autos in the capital? It’s a major city visited by the wealthy and socialites that gravitate towards politics, it also has plenty of deep pocketed locals who would kill for the latest high end product from the USA....
Read in browser » This Guy Bought a Roewe E50
By Ash on Aug 07, 2013 09:29 am Wondering what an E50 is? Its the micro electric car from Roewe. It looks a lot like a box with four wheels in each corner and comes in at 234,900 Yuan (US$37,589). On paper its a little behind the Nissan Leaf, but the Leaf is actually larger with easy seating for 5 people (or realistically, 4 adults), the E50 is more like a two seater with a small rear bench for anyone who is eager enough to climb in the back. The E50 claims a range of 180km where as the Leaf is anywhere between 76 and 169km depending on usage. China Daily reports on someone who bought one: Earlier this year, Li Weimin, who works for an auto services company in Shanghai, bought a Roewe E50 to assess the performance and weaknesses of electric vehicles. The all-electric model, made by SAIC Motor Corp, is priced at 234,900 yuan ($38,326). After deducting subsidies of more than 100,000 yuan, Li actually paid 149,500 yuan for the car, including tax and insurance....
Read in browser » Nissan Posts 1.8% Growth in July
By Ash on Aug 07, 2013 09:04 am Nissan sold 90,900 vehicles in July according to a press release from the company, an increase of 1.8% over July 2012, the meager growth follows a 7.7% year on year decline in June and a 2% rise in May. In the first seven months of 2013 July sold 682,500 vehicles, a a fall of 7.1% over the year earlier. Nissan currently operates joint ventures with Dongfeng Nissan and Zhengzhou Nissan to produce passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Despite introduction of new models such as the new Livina, Teana and Sylphy sedan, Nissan is still suffering a setback from the 2012 diplomatic spat between China and Japan which resulted in Chinese consumers staying away from Japanese brands.
Read in browser » BMW Ordering 140,000 5-Series Vehicles Back
By Ash on Aug 07, 2013 08:56 am BMW announced yesterday that the company was to recall over 143,000 BMW 5 Series models that were produced by its joint venture Brilliance-BMW in Shenyang, citing issues with the power steering system. In total 143,215 vehicles built by BMW Brilliance Automotive. between Aug. 24, 2009 and Aug. 31, 2012, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China
Read in browser » Volvo's Sales Up 61% in July
By Ash on Aug 07, 2013 08:38 am Volvo’s sales have continued to climb in July 2013 with the Chinese owned Swedish company posting a sales increase of 61.6% over the same period in 2012. Volvo’s July sales reached 4,640 units, a large increase on July 2012′s 2,872 figure. In the first seven months of 2013, Volvo has sold 33,342 vehicles in the Chinese market, a marked increase over the 24,250 units sold over the same period in 2012. Volvo currently relies on imported models to boost its sales in China however a new plant in Chengdu will soon begin producing the Volvo S60L, a stretched version specifically for the Chinese market.
Read in browser » Wuling Launches S Model into the Chinese market, Packs 1.5L, RWD and 7 Seats
By Ash on Aug 07, 2013 08:22 am Do you want a rear wheel drive light wheel vehicle that weighs in at a brisk 1200kg? How about a vehicle that can seat seven at the same time and has manual shifting? Enter GM’s latest vehicle in the Wuling line up, the Hong Guang S. The Hong Guang has been on the market for a number of years already where its mixture of passenger car and ‘Mian Bao (Bread van) styling has won over thousands of consumers, it’s even been exported to other developing markets where it wears the Chevrolet bow tie rather than a Wuling one. Wuling held the launch party simultaneously in China’s North East in Harbin and the most far South Western city of Kunming with pricing announced at 61,800RMB. For just over 10,000USD, Chinese consumers will get a revised grill (GM press release says it is more sporty) and a more powerful 1.5L from the Baojun range of vehicles that produces 112bhp verses the 1.2L’s 86bhp and the 1.4L’s 102bhp. The exterior has been given...
Read in browser » Ford Sales Jump 71% in July, Annual Sales Up 50%
By Ash on Aug 06, 2013 02:12 pm Ford’s race to success in the Chinese market has been a slow one but now the Blue Oval is finally in the overtaking lane, in July alone Ford posted a massive 71% sales jump and announced a 50% sales increase in the January to July period. In a statement released earlier today Ford’s July sales reached 72,834 unit, a 71% increase with January to July sales reaching 480,555 units an increase of 50%. The Ford Focus continues to lead Ford’s Chinese sales, the Focus range is combined of the latest generation and last generation models which gives consumers a greater choice of vehicle. The Focus sold 32,920 vehicles in July, a sales leap of 77% with Jan-July sales reaching 218,617 units to date, an increase of 77% over the same period in 2012. Ford’s SUV offerings, the Ford Ecosport and the Kuga are also contributing heavily to Ford’s bottomline. The Ecosport sold 5,991 units in July with 25,467 units sold since its introduction whilst the Kuga sold 9,495 units in...
Read in browser » Is Lifan's New SUV Their Best Looking Vehicle So Far?
By administrator on Aug 06, 2013 01:57 pm Lifan is famed for its low cost cars and its export prowess, it is not famed for its eye catching designs but that might change with the introduction of this new SUV compact. Lifan’s current SUV, the X60, will remain the biggest SUV offering from Lifan with this new as of yet unnamed trucklet sitting below it. Chinese media reports indicate that the new SUV will be powered by a 1.5 engine which is shared with the Lifan 520, as is the platform. The new SUV appears to have a round bubbly appearance from the outside, far from the angular cars that Lifan have produced before. Expect this model to be revealed at the Guangzhou Auto Show later this year.
Read in browser » Haval H8 – Great Wall's 200,000RMB Folly
By administrator on Aug 05, 2013 10:08 am Great Wall are on the verge of launching their 200,000RMB SUV, the much talked about H8. Prices haven’t yet been officially announced but Great Wall executives have indicated via Chinese media that the new H8 SUV will be priced at around 200,000RMB or $32,000USD when its launched later this year. The full size SUV was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show where it was revealed the new SUV will be powered by Great Wall’s first self developed 2.0T engine that produces 240BHP mated to a 6 speed automatic gearbox, suspension comes in the form of double-wishbone independent suspension and multi-link independent suspension at the rear with both AWD and FWD options being made available, this is Great Wall’s most advanced car to date and they are not afraid to show it off. The smaller H6 has been at the forefront of a major boom for the Baoding based company, the H8 will launch as a flagship vehicle complete with a flagship vehicle, but why choose a 200k price tag? The...
Read in browser » Luxgen's New L5 SUV Road Testing
By Ash on Aug 05, 2013 09:37 am Luxgen entered the Chinese market with their 7 SUV, followed by the Master CEO MPV and the regular 7 seat MPV, and then followed it up with the Luxgen 5 sedan. Consumer reaction to the 7 SUV was fairly good but we have to wait and see if consumers take to the sedan. The forthcoming 5 will see the proportions of the 7 shrunk down to a more compact size. We suspect this new model will be aired at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November this year with pricing around 120,000RMB to 150,000RMB. Power will come from a 1.8T to 2.0T with 5 speed and 6 speed gearboxes.
Read in browser » Peugeot 2008 Spotted in China
By Ash on Aug 05, 2013 09:15 am Although PSA were early arrivals in the Chinese market they have been slow to react to the needs and requirements of Chinese consumers, in recent years they have speed up the introduction of new models which have turned around the companies activities in the Chinese market for the better but work is still required, hence the introduction of the new 2008 compact SUV. The Chinese market is hot for compact SUV’s, the Peugeot 3008 is raking in sales at a steady rate but the introduction of the 2008 will likely boost Peugeot even further. As a sub compact SUV offering the 2008 will have future competitors in China aside from the Buick Encore. Power will come from a 1.6L engine rather than the 1.6T as offered in the larger 3008, power will be sent to front wheels only in this model.
Read in browser » Honda's July Sales Down Slightly
By Ash on Aug 05, 2013 08:49 am Honda’s two joint venture partners in China, Guangzhou Auto and Dongfeng Auto, sold a combined 51,140 vehicles in China in July, a slight drop of 1.7% according to a press release issued last week. Honda is still suffering from an anti-Japanese sentiment which was started nearly a year ago over the dispute over the Diao Yu Dao Islands, in June Honda suffered a 5.6% year on year fall but saw brief respite in May where sales climbed 4.6%. Honda are expected to introduce the new Accord into China later this year with it expected to boost sales.
Read in browser » Qoros Signs Contract With American Axle Manufacturing For Hybrid Drive Train Systems
By administrator on Aug 03, 2013 09:58 am Qoros and American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) announced earlier this week that the two companies had come to an agreement to supply Qoros with electric driveline systems. Qoros is a new global automotive manufacturer with its headquarters in Shanghai, it has already aired two pre-production vehicles at the Geneva and Shanghai Auto Shows in 2013 and continues to garner great amounts of media interest in the lead up to the sales launch of the vehicles. American Axle Manufacturing will supply Qoros with its e-AAM hybrid system which will work inline with Qoros’ 1.2T engine. The engine is capable of producing 130bhp to direct power to the front wheels whilst a 50 kilowatt motor is used to power the rear axle where it is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a maximum capacity of 1.9 kilowatt-hours. This system mixes an electric drive control model and AAM’s own propriety control strategy software to achieve better fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and improved safety combined with strong ride and handling performance. Qoros are...
Read in browser » More From Jiangsu Ou Lu – A Sleek Sports Sedan
By Ash on Aug 02, 2013 11:28 pm Maybe we were overly critical of Jiangsu Ou Lu for their knock off Taigun, it seems the company has also penned a hybrid sports sedan that they’ve sent through the patent office at the same time as the Taigun clone they put together over a lunch break. Whilst the Taigun clone didn’t seem to gain too much R&D investment monies from its mother company, this sedan seems to have taken the lions share of design time. Up front we have hints of a Lamborghini whilst the side and rear panels flow together quite seamlessly, giving the effect of a Chinese Tesla Model S. Now for the bad news – Jiangsu Ou Lu don’t yet have any engine building capacity so we suspect that this model might use a 1.5T off the shelf Mitsubishi unit rather than the expected new energy system we have been told about by the Chinese media, although as they are focusing themselves as a new energy company there is a certain amount of hope here.
Read in browser » Jiangsu Ou Lu Puts VW Tiguan Back Through the Patent Office
By Ash on Aug 02, 2013 11:21 pm Once upon a time small Chinese car manufacturers would have to wait until a certain model of car was on the market somewhere in the world before they would buy one immediately and ship it back to China with a customs label of ‘Research’ before they would pull it to pieces for a period of reflection before sending it down their own production lines for a fraction of the cost (and quality) with a random brand applied. But that method is so 2002, in the rock and roll internet age of 2013 small time manufacturers can rip off a car just from its picture and claim it as their own. Jiangsu Ou Lu is one of those small time manufacturers the Central Government wants to squeze out of business via consolidation but these automotive weeds always manage to avoid the proverbial weed-wacker and cling on to their all important ‘Mu Lv‘ that allows them to produce certain types of vehicles, usually SUV’s and pick up trucks rather than ‘passenger cars’....
Read in browser » Mazda Continues Southern Slide in China
By Ash on Aug 02, 2013 11:06 pm Mazda sales continued to decend in July, making a solid 10 months of decline for the Japanese automaker. Chang’an Mada and FAW-Mazda’s combined sales in July reached just 11,678 units, an 18.7% drop over the same period in 2012. By the end of July this year, Mazda sold a total of 94,208 vehicles in the Chinese market, a drop of 20.4% over the same period in 2012 according to statistics.
Read in browser » GM Announces Tim Lee as Head of GM China, With Volvo's Stefan Jacoby Joining GM
By Ash on Aug 02, 2013 10:54 pm General Motors announced earlier today that Tim Lee will become the Chairman of GM China with responsibility over GM’s 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 55,000 GM employees in China. Tim is not a newcomer to GM, he has spent the past four years in charge of GM’s international operations and will continue to lead as Executive Vice President for Global Manufacturing as well as his new role. GM China’s President, Bob Socia, will report to Tim Lee directly. Former Volvo CEO, Stefan Jacoby will also join GM as a Executive Vice President for Consolidated International Operations, where he will lead GM’s operations in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East Tim Lee
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