The Chinese car industry started on 28th September, 1958 when the first Phoenix car was born in China. Phoenix which changed into Shanghai later was the only brand of high volume production before the reform. its name was switched to "Shanghai Sedan." Oddly enough, in Shanghai, when a road sign features a pictogram of an automobile, it bears an uncanny resemblance to a head-on, simplified shot of a Phoenix. If only German road signs featured Porsche 550s and American signage Chrysler Conquests, just a little bit more would be right with the world.
Chinese automaker Geely introduced a new safety system at the 2008 NAIAS. Described as revolutionary, it's designed to reduce the risks of getting into an accident when one of the tires explodes.
Developed in China, the Blow-Out Monitoring and Braking System (BMBS) was put to the test at 100 kph on a production model, the Geely Vision. During these tests, despite the sudden loss of air pressure caused by a tire explosion, the system was able to progressively slow the car down while allowing the driver to maintain control.
Below are the pictures of Chery's latest secret model, the model was slightly outed earlier this year via shaky photographs at a Chery internal meeting. Full pictures of the Chery A13 are shown below!
The Chery A13 is expected to replace Cherys original car, the Chery Cowin, which was based off the Seat Toledeo. The current Cowin is sold in Russia, Iran, China, and Malaysia by Chery, but the replacement model, the Chery A13 is expected to win even more fans at home and abroad.
The A13 is expected to be fitted with either a range of engines, from 1.3 to 1.8l ATECO engines, and is expected to come in at below the 100,000rmb marker. This model is expected to run alongside the Chery A3 as a sedan option to the A3抯 hatchback.
The A13 will be launched at the Beijing Auto Show later this year.
Chery's production and sales do not stop in Russia
April 3, 2008 - Chery Automobile has denied a recent Russian media report that Avtotor Group, Chery抯 partner in Russia, announced they would stop assembling Chery brand vehicles from March 31 .
Jin Yibo, spokesman of Chery Automobile, said to sina.com.cn yesterday, 揙ur company has not received any document about cooperation canceling from Avtotor. Chery抯 project in Russia is being normally operated and Chery still has vehicle models assembled and produced in Avtotor.
Shuanghuan to bring SCEO, Noble to Beijing auto show
April 14, 2008 - Chinese carmaker Shuanghuan Automobile said recently that it will display the 08 Shuanghuan CEO (or 08 SCEO), Shuanghuan Noble, and common-rail-diesel-powered new Jingba SCEO at the Beijing auto show this month.
Shuanghuan Auto has reportedly set its brand theme for this auto show as "Dream, Harmony, New Horizon" and will pursue the "internationalized-quality strategy" in its quality control. In the research and development, the company will focus on the harmony between its products and the market. It is expected to release all-new models such as the automatic dual-fuel-driven Shuanghuan Noble and new common-rail-diesel-powered Jingba SCEO.
At the upcoming Beijing auto show, Shuanghuan Auto will present its brand image in an all-around manner to grab the spotlight of the auto event with Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, and other global auto-making giants.
However, BMW has accused Shuanghuan of copying the X5 for the design of its CEO, saying the two SUV's look very similar, especially in the back. Daimler claims that Shuanghuan copied the Smart car for the look of its Noble minicar. When the Chinese carmaker brings the new CEO and Noble to the Beijing show, it will allow visitors to judge for themselves.
Honda has officially announced their plans to build an all-new model developed and badged by its state-run Chinese joint venture, Guangzhou Honda Automobile, Ltd. The Japanese headquarters of Honda has invested 30 billion yen ($265 million U.S.) in a Chinese research and development center to create a new brand of China-specific vehicles.
Honda hasn't announced just how many or what type of vehicles they plan to produce and design, but given the official directive that the new cars will feature a China-specific design and branding, it's evident that Honda is very serious about the Chinese market. We wouldn't expect these Guangzhou Honda-branded vehicles to be sold outside of China, at least initially.
Guangzhou Honda has been producing cars for Honda in Japan since 1999. Currently, Guangzhou Honda produces Jazz and Accord models at the Honda Automobile (China) Company plant, but nearly all of those vehicles are exported - primarily to Europe.
On April 20 at the Beijing international auto show, Southeast V3 (as code-named by the company), the long-expected Southeast Motor's new car, won the attention of lots of media and consumers as it was debuted.
Southeast V3
It is known that Southeast V3 is a self-developed product by Southeast Motor on the basis of broad international cooperation and superior resources. Due to many years of cooperation experience with international automobile enterprises as well as efficient utilization of resources, Southeast V3 achieves its internationalized quality.
V5
Along with Southeast V3, two concept models by Southeast Motor also made their debuts at the Beijing auto show. The first is code-named V5, and the another concept car is X1.They are both the own brands of Southeast Motor.
The presence of Southeast Motor's new car and concept car drew close attention from industry insiders. "Southeast V3 will be launched to the market in the next half of this year," said Ling Yuzhang, director of Southeast Motor.
concept car X1
Sources said that Southeast V5 is the concept car of another own-brand A-class sedan by Southeast Motor and is expected to be mass-produced in the near future. The concept car X1 ,a concept sports sedan by Southeast Motor, with concise design and fashionable body equipped with solar-energy- functioned backdrop starry sky roof, caters to the international energy-efficiency trend.
As an enterprise with international technical background, Southeast Motor absorbs the advanced technology from Mitsubishi, Chrysler and some other outstanding international automakers. Through introduction, absorption and innovation, Southeast Motor has greatly strengthened its independent R&D capability.