Beijing Auto to launch six new models in 2010

Shanghai, March 25 (Gasgoo.com) Beijing Auto has planned for several own-brand models to be launched in each of the coming years. The carmaker will manage to release two sedan models codenamed BC701 and BC801, two SUV models codenamed B40 and B51, and two hybrid new-energy models in 2010, xinhuanet.com said today.

Beijing Auto broke ground last month in a suburb of the Chinese capital city to build an auto research and development (R&D) base, which will have two SUV platforms and four sedan platforms. Together with Beijing Auto Design Institute and the commercial car R&D center of Beiqi Foton Motor, the new R&D base will help Beijing Auto speed up its strategic development of new-energy own-brand vehicles.

Currently, the concept designs of Beijing-brand vehicles have completed and their engineering development has started. "We are developing several new vehicle models simultaneously, including new-energy ones," said a top executive of Beijing Auto recently. Three concept models of Beijing-brand sedans were displayed and highly acclaimed at the 2008 Beijing auto show.

In addition, Beijing Auto has formed its passenger car division, with staff coming from the Beijing-based car company and its joint ventures Beijing Hyundai and Beijing Benz Daimler. The new subsidiary will be responsible for organizing and coordinating the market study, planning, R&D, manufacturing preparation and sales channels of Beijing Auto.

In 2010, Beijing Auto will start to launch six own-brand vehicles, including BC701 and BC801 sedans, B40 and B51 SUVs, and two hybrid new-energy cars, and in each year ahead at least one new Beijing-brand model will go to market. Most of them will be clean new-energy vehicles.