Gasgoo.com (Shanghai August 2) - Guangzhou Automobile Group is readying a new own brand subcompact for next year, the Beijing Times reported today, citing a statement made by Vice President Xu Yulin at a recent exhibition for own brand vehicles in Beijing. GAC already has plans to sell the new model overseas.
The new entry-level subcompact will be priced under GAC's Trumpchi sedan. It will be built on a brand new platform and will employ a MacPherson multi-linked suspension, which is currently used only by relatively upscale subcompacts. The subcompact will be available in hatchback and sedan configurations, and will sport slightly smaller measurements than the Trumpchi. Its exterior, interior and drive train will be entirely self-developed.
There are also reports that GAC will later release a new compact to compete with the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, new Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Teana.
When asked about overseas prospects for the new model, Mr. Xu responded that GAC representatives had visited dealerships and agents across a variety of regions, including South America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. He believes that the model's design and technology will be able to meet international demands. When asked about export methods, Mr. Xu said that it would depend on the country in question, saying that exporting knockdown kits would be entirely possible for GAC.
GAC's own brand sales have benefited greatly from the new Trumpchi GS5 SUV, which managed to attract 2,000 and 2,600 customers in June and July, respectively. The manufacturer aims to sell 40,000 Trumpchi vehicles this year, 23,000 more than it sold in 2011.
