Global auto giants march into China's 2nd-, 3rd-tier cities
May 03 (People's Daily) China's Auto Industry Condition Index has reached a record high this year and is continuing an upward trend in the first quarter. Due to the continued boom in China's auto market, overseas auto manufacturers have started to occupy the secondary and tertiary markets.
The ongoing Beijing International Auto Expo is an arena for overseas giant car manufacturers to attract visitors with competitive products and to announce expansion strategies in China.
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Beijing auto show sets world record attendance figure
May 03 (China Daily) More than 800,000 people visited Auto China 2010, which wrapped up on Sunday, making it the best-attended motor show in the world, organizers say.
The 10-day event, held at the China International Exhibition Center, featured 990 cars from almost all manufacturers from around the globe, including 89 models making their world debut.
With its theme "For a Greener Tomorrow", 95 energy-saving vehicles also made their debut. As well, 65 concept cars were on show.
Changan Suzuki to lift annual capacity to 180,000 vehicles
Shanghai, May 4 (Gasgoo.com) Chongqing Changan Suzuki Automobile Co., Ltd., a minicar joint venture between Chang'an Auto and Suzuki Motors, expects to lift its annual capacity to 180,00 vehicles this year. Of this target, the added 30,000-unit sales volume will mostly be fulfilled by the new Alto car.
Statistics show that Changan Suzuki sales hit new record high of more than 53,000 units in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 60% from a year earlier, said Tang Qing, Marketing and Promotion Director for Changan Suzuki Co. at the Beijing Auto Show.
BMW to bring MINI E to China as field trial this year
Shanghai, May 4 (Gasgoo.com) German carmaker BMW anticipates high demand for electric cars in the Chinese market and is set to deliver 50 units of its MINI E to China as a field trial by the end of this year, Xinhua News reported recently.
In mid-2009, BMW launched a global field test involving more than 600 MINI E cars and next year it will deliver to customers a further fleet based on the BMW Concept ActiveE that was unveiled in January of this year. The carmaker has been exploring the day-to-day use of electric cars.
FAW-VW to launch New Bora 2011 model this month
Shanghai, May 5 (Gasgoo.com) Reportedly, FAW-Volkswagen will launch the New Bora 2011 model this month, and the model powered with the 1.4TSI engine will be put into market soon after the New Bora launching. The New Bora model will be equipped with the 3-spoke leather sport steering wheel similar to the Golf A6 model.
Brilliance Auto plans to sell small car in Australia
Shanghai, May 5 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese carmaker Brilliance Auto recently said that it is planning to begin selling cars in Australia as early as 2011, local media reported.
Brilliance plans to begin exporting the Cross small car to Australia in 2011, selling its small Cross hatchback first, then the sedan. The company has been in talks with a potential Australian importer and may close the deal later this year, said a top executive at the recent Beijing auto show.
Shanghai GM sales up 88.4% in first four months
Shanghai, May 6 (Gasgoo.com) Shanghai GM sold 320,000 vehicles in the period January to April, up 88.4% year on year, higher than the industry ’s average.
In April, Shanghai GM sales reached 89,562 units, an increase of 62% from a year earlier, of which the Chevrolet and the Cadillac brands sales accelerated ahead by 100%.
Chery to launch two locally-made sedans in Taiwan
Shanghai, May 6 (Gasgoo.com) Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. has revealed that it would launch two sedan models, the Apola and Fresh, in Taiwan later this month, the Taiwan Economic News reported yesterday.
The two models will be locally assembled by Taiwan's Prince Motors Co. and marketed by a new subsidiary, Chery's vice president and director Zhou Biren recently told a Taiwanese reporter.
Peugeot, Changan agree on Chinese production venture
May 07 (Bloomberg) PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe's second- largest carmaker, agreed to set up a venture with China Changan Automotive Group Co. to tap rising demand for vehicles in the world's biggest auto market.
The 50-50 venture to manufacture cars and light commercial vehicles won't compete directly with other partnerships, the companies said in a statement today. Peugeot already assembles cars with Dongfeng Motor Group Co., while Changan shares plants with Ford Motor Co.
GM China April sales grow 41% to 213,115 vehicles
Shanghai, May 7 (Gasgoo.com) General Motors said yesterday that its sales in China grew 41.1% from a year earlier to 213,115 vehicles in April, media reported. In the first four months this year, GM China sales totaled 836,661 units.
Shanghai GM, the U.S. auto giant's flagship car venture in China with SAIC Motor, sold 89,562 vehicles last month, up 62.1% year on year, and sales at its mini-commercial vehicle venture SAIC-GM-Wuling rose 18.9% to 113,633 units in April.
