SAIC displays its own sports car

SHANGHAI Automotive Industry Corp debuted its latest concept sports car at an international auto parts exhibition in Shanghai, which may likely be the city's first self-designed luxury sports car. 

  
The model, called Fengyi, meaning Phoenix's glory, is developed by Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Trim Systems Co Ltd, an equally owned joint venture invested by SAIC and Visteon International Holdings Corporation.
    
The design of the red and blue car embodies a phoenix about to take flight with the two headlights looking like the "eyes of a phoenix".
    
The sports car does not have an engine or transmission installed as the firm wanted to showcase its design capability, said Yan Lixing, one of the designers, cited by the Oriental Morning Post.
    
SAIC invested more than 6 million yuan (US$866,301) into designing and building the sports car.
    
The model has attracted attention at the three-day Auto Components Shanghai 2008, which ends today at the Shanghai International Exhibition Center, the report said.
    
To boost the competitiveness of China's auto industry, domestic manufacturers have been working to roll out self-developed models.
    
SAIC's self-branded Roewe 550 model was its first mass produced mid-class sedan.