Geely to launch Shanghai Englon TX4 car soon

Shanghai, June 2 (Gasgoo.com) Geely Group is set to launch its Shanghai Englon TX4 car in early June, said sina.com today. This is the first new model of Geely's luxury sub-brand Shanghai Englon.

The Shanghai Englon TX4, an updated version of the famed London Taxi (now controlled by Geely), is made by Shanghai Maple Auto (to be renamed Shanghai Englon soon), a joint venture between Geely Group and Manganese Bronze Holdings. With pure British pedigree, Shanghai Englon conveys its brand characteristics of "classic, British style, nobility."

After almost 70 years of operation and trial, British TX4 taxi is currently the most typical. The Queen of England once enjoyed the service offered by TX4. The imported TX4 was also the service car working for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and its Chinese version was unveiled at the 2009 Shanghai auto show in April.

The Shanghai Englon TX4 to go on sale next week will have a 2.4-liter gasoline version (with a 5-speed automatic transmission) and two 2.5-liter diesel versions (with 5-speed automatic and manual transmissions).

The three Shanghai Englon TX4 editions are expected to have retail prices between 208,000 yuan ($30,450) and 228,000 yuan.

To replace its low-priced compact sedans and hatchbacks with a much broader vehicle range and price spectrum, Geely has created an entry-level sub-brand Gleagle, a mainstream sub-brand Emgrand (Dihao), and a premium sub-brand Shanghai Englon (Yinglun) which also has the controversial Geely GE, a Rolls-Royce Phantom-like model.