Wuling Hong Guang MPV unveiled at Beijing show

Shanghai, April 28 (Gasgoo.com) SAIC-GM-Wuling, General Motors' mini-vehicle joint venture in China, introduced the new Wuling Hong Guang multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on Friday at the opening 2010 Beijing auto show (Auto China 2010), media reported.

The Wuling Hong Guang combines an elegant exterior with a compact design and a small engine, targeted at consumers who need a compact business vehicle with outstanding fuel economy and functionality, but at an affordable price. It will go on sale early next month, priced below 60,000 yuan ($8,790).

"SAIC-GM-Wuling is proud to be leveraging our unmatched experience manufacturing mini-vehicles to roll out a compact business vehicle that will appeal to a broad range of car buyers," said SAIC-GM-Wuling General Manager Shen Yang.

The Hong Guang will come with a choice of P-TEC 1.2-liter or 1.4-liter engines, making it the first MPV in China with an engine size under 1.6 liters. The 1.2-liter engine was named one of the 10 Best Engines of China 2009.

At the 2010 Beijing auto show, the SAIC-GM-Wuling venture displays three models, the Hong Guang multi-purpose vehicle, and the New Sunshine and Rong Guang minivans.

SAIC-GM-Wuling, a leader in China's mini-van market, expects to sell 1.23 million vehicles this year, up 16%. For this target, Wuling-brand vehicles may sell 1.15 million units, and Chevrolet Spark car sales may come to 80,000.