China's all-new Chery A1 car hits Brunei market
Shanghai, January 18 (Gasgoo.com) Brunei's TCY Motors Sdn Bhd last week introduced the all-new Chery Al at its Batu Bersurat showroom, allowing customers in the Southeast Asian nation to check out the newly China-made car, local media Borneo Bulletin reported.
The Chery Al car, priced at about $15,000, is a high-end, refined hatchback manufactured in China according to international standards. It is the first 'global car' developed in China for the global markets, with international technologies as well as services and sales modes.
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Ford, Mazda deny plan for their China JV break-up
Shanghai, January 18 (Gasgoo.com) Ford Motor and Mazda Motor said today that they had no plans to dissolve their car-making joint venture in China, now the world's largest auto market, Reuters reported.
The two companies were responding to a Sunday report by Japan's Nikkei business daily. The report said that they and China's Chongqing Changan Auto had agreed to end their three-way partnership by 2012 and that Ford was planning to restructure the ownership of their venture Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co.
BYD approved to produce all-electric car e6
Shanghai, January 19 (Gasgoo.com) China's electrical car producer BYD Auto said yesterday that it has won regulatory approval to make its first all-electric car e6 in the country, Shanghai Daily reported.
BYD, backed by U.S. billionaire Warren Buffet, will sell the plug-in e6 sedan in the domestic market in the first half of this year for about 300,000 yuan ($43,988), mainly supplying government agencies, public services and taxi fleets.
China's drivers get dual benefits from auto trade-in
Shanghai, January 19 (Gasgoo.com) China's drivers who trade in their old vehicles for a new, clean, small car will be eligible for both a subsidy and a lower purchase tax, the commerce and finance ministry said Monday, media reported.
The Chinese government had agreed that from the beginning of this year, buyers of cars with a 1.6 liter or smaller engine are subject to 7.5% purchase tax. That's 2.5% lower than the original level.
VW to build new plant in south China to make Seat
Shanghai, January 20 (Gasgoo.com) Volkswagen AG, along with its Chinese partner FAW Group, plans to build a plant in south China to boost its share in the Japanese car-dominated market, Reuters reported today.
The new facility, Volkswagen's fifth in China, is based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and will make VW's Seat model, according to an executive from Volkswagen's China operations. The plant will have an initial annual production capacity of 200,000 units.
Dongfeng Honda venture to build second plant
Shanghai, January 20 (Gasgoo.com) Honda Motor said today that its joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group will build a second plant with an investment of 1.15 billion yuan ($168.4 mln) in order meet the fast-growing demand in China, now the world's biggest auto market, media reported.
The facility, due to operate in the second half of 2012, will have an initial annual production capacity of 60,000 units, which will lift the venture's total output to 300,000. Dongfeng Honda's existing facility will be raised by 40,000 units this year to 240,000 units.
Hyundai-Kia sell 811,695 cars in China in '09
Shanghai, January 21 (Gasgoo.com) South Korea's biggest carmaker Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors sold a combined 811,695 vehicles in China last year, increasing 86% and ranking second in 2009 car sales by overseas automakers in the Chinese market, Yonhap News reported today.
Hyundai Motor saw its car sales in China jump 93.6% year on year to 570,309 units last year, while its affiliate Kia Motors sold 241,386 units, up 70%. The Korean companies followed Volkswagen which ranked first by selling 1.39 million cars in China in 2009, retaining its leading position in China's passenger car sales.
Changan Auto to launch Benben Mini car in March
Shanghai, January 21 (Gasgoo.com) Changan Auto is set to launch its first self-developed compact car Benben Mini in March, media reported. It will be priced between 35,000 yuan ($5,130) and 50,000 yuan.
Based on the company's best-selling first-generation Benben model, which appeared to be a chunky but useable car, the Benben Mini has an entirely new door line, rear end and has been given a cuter front end, according to the China Car Times.
Jonway to build electric SUVs with U.S. e-car maker
Shanghai, January 22 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese automaker Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. and U.S. electric car maker Zap have agreed to jointly produce electric SUVs, cars and other electric vehicles in China for domestic and global markets, media reported yesterday.
The partnership with Jonway is part of Zap's multi-phase business plan to target the booming electric vehicle market in China. Jonway is selected as a local partner as the company has produced one of the first vehicles in China to meet international quality standards.
New Changan says to keep Hafei, Changhe brands
Shanghai, January 22 (Gasgoo.com) After taking over the automaking susidaries of aircraft maker AVIC, the new Changan Auto will not give up production of vehicles carrying the Hafei and Changhe brands, the China Car Times said, citing a Changan executive.
Zheng Changjiang, the new Chang'an public relations officer, expressed that brands like Hafei are mid-level in China, so its positioning is pretty good, especially in some northern small- to medium-size cities.
