China Auto News of the Week (October 25 - 29, 2010)

SAIC aims to take 20% of China's new energy vehicle market by 2015

Shanghai October 25 (Gasgoo.com) China's largest auto maker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has in recent years created a comprehensive layout of the new energy automotive industry chain, and is planning to increase its market share in the segment to 20% by 2015, its Chairman Hu Maoyuan said at the "Drive to 2030": World Expo and Sustainable Automotive Industry Development forum, co-hosted with General Motors on October 15, the Beijing News reported Monday.

Different from other auto-making companies, SAIC has provided a focus on R&D of new energy vehicles from the start, with the aim of realizing industrialization. Through the industrialization of new energy vehicles, the Shanghai-based automaker hopes to propel development and industrialization of key auto parts such as batteries, motors and so on, Hu said.

(Click the title to read the full article)

Beijing Hyundai to launch 12 models by 2015

Shanghai October 25 (Gasgoo.com) Beijing Hyundai Motor, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC), plans to lift its annual capacity to 1.5 million vehicles by 2015 from the current 1.2 million units, the Beijing Times reported Monday, citing a"12 5" five-year development plan the company posted on its website on Tuesday.

Beijing Hyundai will launch 12 models in the domestic market during the 2011-2015 period, bringing the total to roughly 20 from the current eight and making it one of the biggest passenger vehicle manufacturers in China by volume, the company's Executive Vice President Li Feng said.

Mercedes-Benz seeking higher localization rate in China

Shanghai October 26 (Gasgoo.com) Daimler AG Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche announced on October 22 that Beijing Benz Automotive Co will expand its production capacity to 200,000 units, and meanwhile reduce the proportion of imported Mercedes-Benz models in the Chinese market to 30% from the previous 70%, seeking a higher localization rate in China, the National Business Daily reported Tuesday.

The 200,000-unit capacity that Beijing Benz, a joint venture between the Daimler AG and BAIC Group, plans to add is consisting of 100,000 vehicles and 100,000 engines.

Volvo C30 plug-in hybrid likely to be mass-produced in Shanghai

Shanghai October 26 (Gasgoo.com) Volvo will launch in 2013 a vehicle project in Jiading District, Shanghai, where the Volvo C30 plug-in hybrid will probably be mass-produced if everything goes as planned, Rong Wenwei, general manger of Shanghai International Auto City Development Co., Ltd. recently said at the Eighth China automotive industry Forum, 163.com reported Tuesday.

The Swedish automaker unveiled the all-electric Volvo C30 this January at the 2010 North American Auto Show in Detroit, a major milestone in fulfilling its "DRIVe Towards Zero" strategy.

Chinese to start making hybrid, electric vehicles in US next year

Shanghai October 27 (Gasgoo.com) GreenTech Automotive Inc. (GTA), a U.S. automobile company co-founded by Chinese American financier Wang Xiaolin and Terry McAuliffe, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has recently completed construction of its new production facility for hybrid vehicles and plans to put it into operation in March 2011, Beijing Youth Daily reported Wednesday.

Months ago, an all-electric and a hybrid sports car made by GTA, as well as Toyota Prius hyrid and Nissan Leaf electric car were selected as "masterpieces of green cars" at the CGI Annual Meetings initiated by the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)-established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton.

Chang'an Ford Mazda names Marin Burela as CEO

Shanghai October 27 (Gasgoo.com) Marin Burela, former CEO of Ford Australia, has been appointed as CEO of Chang'an Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA), effective November 11, 2010, the company's Board of Directors announced today.

Current CEO Shen Yingquan will officially retire from CFMA on December 31, 2010. During November and December, he will still work in the company to ensure a successful leadership transition.

Mercedes to invest $4.15 bln in China, confirming new engine plant

Shanghai October 28 (Gasgoo.com) Daimler AG Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche, having visited China for three times this year, told the Beijing Times on October 22 in an interview that the company will invest 3 billion euros ($4.15 billion) in the next few years to boost China production capacity, confirming that a new engine plant will be built in the country.

Earlier, Dieter Zetsche told investors in Beijing that his Mercedes-Benz Cars division plans to sell 300,000 vehicles in China by 2015, a fifth of its anticipated total volume of 1.5 million units, according to Reuters.

Volkswagen likely to sell Audi Q3 in China next year

Shanghai October 28 (Gasgoo.com) Volkswagen AG will import all its Audi models to China due to the luxury brand's great performance, Zhang Xiaojun, executive vice president of FAW-VW Audi Sales Division, said recently, adding that the Audi Q3 will likely be introduced to the domestic market at the end of 2011, the Beijing Times reported Thursday.

The Audi Q3, positioned below the Q5, is a compact SUV based on the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro concept that was showcased at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show. The volume version of the Q3 thereby has the same body size as the Cross Coupe Quattro concept that measures (LxWxH) 4629mm x 1880mm x 1653mm, and has a wheelbase of 2600mm and 450L luggage compartment capacity. Under the skin, the Q3 uses a platform borrowed from the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Foton Motor to tap high-end SUV market

Shanghai October 29 (Gasgoo.com) Beiqi Foton Motor Co, the world's biggest commercial vehicle maker, is developing a sport utility vehicle (SUV), code-named U201, which shares platform with Foton's high-end pickup P201, looks similar to the Toyota Prado in size and will be put on the domestic market in 2013 following P201's launch, the Beijing News reported Friday.

Reporters learned from a Foton affiliate which owns Sapp and Legend brands that the Beijing-based automaker is set to tap the high-end SUV market. A person close to the matter said the U201 and P201 are mainly derived from Toyota's Hilux pickup, adding that the full-size U201 SUV will be Foton's first true passenger vehicle model and is expected to be available in both gasoline and diesel engines.

Dongfeng Auto recalls 102,817 cars in China to fix ignition relay

Shanghai October 29 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. (600006), started yesterday recalling 102,708 vehicles in China due to a faulty ignition relay that could cause the engine to stall, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) in a statement on its website.

The recall affects 102,708 units of Tiida sedan and Tiida hatchback built between November 17, 2004 and May 22, 2006, and 109 units of Nissan Sylphy car built from March 30, 2006 to July 27, 2006, by Dongfeng Nissan, a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motor Co.