Shanghai. January 8 (Gasgoo.com) – China’s compact vehicle maker Chenghe plans to sell 154,000 vehicles and 89,800 engines in 2008, local newspaper Beijing News reported today.
The Jiangxi-based automaker also plans to launch three models this year, including a Liana sport car powered by a 1.8 Liter engine and a brand new local brand sedan, the report said.
The 1.8 liter engine powered Liana sport car is schedule to start volume production in the third quarter of 2008. The local brand sedan, company sources said, will be a new compact car based on a new production platform.
Changhe, a partner of Japanese compact vehicle maker Suzuki, also plans to introduce a Suzuki subcompact car Wagon R, according to a Changhe official.
Changhe has an annual capacity of 100,000 units. Its product portfolio includes Ideal, Ideal II, Freedom, mini-trucks and mini-vans.
The automaker vows to make profits in 2008 since it has been losing money over the past year due to a sagging compact vehicle market.