Shanghai GM to launch new Chevrolet Sail in two years

Shanghai, April 29 (Gasgoo.com) The new Chevrolet Sail model will be launched within two years, said Ling Hai, vice sales manager of Shanghai GM Chevrolet marketing department, at the 2008 Beijing auto show. He also showed a strong affection for Chevrolet top sedan Camaro.

In 2001, Buick Sail went on sale and was then called a “100,000-yuan family car” in China. In 2005, the Sail brand was replaced by Chevrolet and new models were launched. At the beginning of 2008, Sail’s production came to a halt.

Ling Hai said the new Chevrolet Sail model is now at the R&D stage, but two more years is needed for its delivery to the market. The R&D institutes of Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) and General Motors will both cooperate on the new Sail model.

Chevrolet concept car Camaro, playing the role of bumblebee in "Transformers," has been on display for many times in China. According to the GM project plan, Camaro may be mass-produced in 2008.

"This model will represent a good brand promotion if introduced to the China market by mass-production version. Its individual design different from the usual passenger car will appeal to large consumers in our country,” said Ling Hai with strong interest.

It is known that Camaro’s production version will use the global Zeta platform of GM. Camaro will be possibly locally produced thanks to this platform which also has produced Buick Park Avenue in China. But according to Ling Hai, whether to be made locally depends on the final quantity, and the first batch of Camaro cars for the Chinese market should be imported.