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Li Nian “Everus” sedan – Chinese market Honda concept

April 23, 2010 at 1:12 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, Concept Cars, Honda

Honda will be exhibiting this Li Nian concept car at Auto China 2010 in Beijing this year. Li Nian is basically a Chinese market only brand that Honda and their Chinese partner Guangqi Honda Automobile (previously known as Guangzhou Honda Automobile – the namechange happened in April 2009) have been working on.

This is not the first Li Nian car we’ve seen – a compact SUV concept built on the Jazz platform as well as an open top roadster that looks like it’s meant to be a somewhat like a next generation Honda S2000 was first shown at Auto China 2010 in April 2008.

This latest Li Nian Concept is a sedan that I’m assuming is called the “Everus” and it looks something like a Honda City with rear design cues from the Honda Airwave and a large Acura-like grille on the front. The photos don’t really give any indication on what size the vehicle is – the front looks very grand like it belongs on a larger vehicle but the side profile looks like a smaller sedan.

I am guessing that this is the City-based C-segment sedan that Guangqi Honda said they were working on back in September 2008. Honda in China is sold by two companies – Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Honda. In the C-segment market, the Honda Civic is sold by Dongfeng Honda, leaving Guangqi Honda with no C-segment sedan competitor.

Look after the jump for hi-res images of the new Li Nian.
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Volkswagen Phaeton facelift for Auto China 2010 exhibit

April 22, 2010 at 6:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has given the Phaeton a makeover and is set to launch it at the Auto China 2010 expo. Other than the aesthetic changes, the car also gets some new equipment such as a satnav system with a 30GB hard drive that can pull Google Maps “Satellite Hybrid View” data via UMTS (3G), a camera-based main beam adjustment system called Dynamic Light Assist, and speed limit signboard recognition. The Phaeton’s recognition system can also recognize the “no overtaking” signs and this is claimed to be a first in the world feature.

Both a short wheelbase and a long wheelbase version will be available, and the rear bench can be configured to be either a 3 seater or with 2 individual seats. There will be one V6 TDI engine making 240 PS and the rest are V6, V8 and W12 petrol engines making 280 PS, 335 PS and 450 PS respectively.

The Phaeton is not sold here in Malaysia, although there are a few running around. We’re much likely to spot the A8L on the road than the new Phaeton. Look after the jump to see the new Phaeton in a hi-res gallery.
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How the Chinese previous generation Saab 9-5 looks like

April 21, 2010 at 11:36 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Saab

This is not a copy, they bought the rights to it. Late last year, Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC), China’s fifth-largest automaker paid $200 million to General Motors for three vehicle platforms and two engine technologies from Saab. This deal, which was done before the Swedish brand temporarily died and got revived, included the old 9-5 design, and BAIC’s BAW brand has a reworked version of that car ready for the Beijing Motor Show.

Called the C71 concept, BAW grafted on a new face to the Saab’s angular, distinctly three-box saloon shape. The front end, which has a pre-facelift Camry style “one-piece nose”, hi-tech looking headlamps and sculpted bumpers, looks almost too modern for the rest of the body. It looks a little disjointed to these eyes, what do you think?

But before we throw arrows at the Chinese for murdering a good design, let’s remember that the old 9-5 in its final iteration wasn’t the best looking car in town either; it had chrome surrounds for the headlights! Don’t remember? We have one waiting for you after the jump!

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Citroën pays homage to China with Metropolis concept

April 20, 2010 at 1:58 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, China, Citroën, Concept Cars

Citroën should be one of the few remaining carmakers who believe that concept cars must deliver shock and awe above all – their recent creations like the GTbyCitroen, Revolte and the Survolt from Geneva look like beings from another planet. Their latest concept, Metropolis, takes all that wackiness and puts it in a limo body.

The French carmaker says that the Metropolis “pays homage to China’s extraordinary development” and reflects China’s “avantgarde status, grandeur and vitality”. What? Created by Citroën’s international design team – based in Shanghai since 2008 – the Metropolis will be on show in the French Pavilion at the 2010 Expo in Shanghai from 1st May to 31st October this year.

The Metropolis’ silhouette is imposing (5.3m long, 2m wide, 1.4m high), blending taut lines with smooth surfaces. Up front, the sculpted wings and kite-shaped grille hint at recent Citroen concepts. The headlamps have an “imperious and steely look” according to its maker. At the rear, there’s an active spoiler and Citroën’s signature concave rear window. Wrapping up is a ‘Pearl Silk’ body colour that changes under different light conditions.

This car is a plug in hybrid which consists of a 2.0-litre V6 petrol and a 7-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. At low speeds, the limo runs in zero emissions mode, its electric motor developing a continuous 55 bhp, peaking at 95bhp. At steady speeds, the engine provides 272 bhp and 375 Nm. When additional performance is required, both sources combine for 460 bhp and 430 Nm of torque channeled to all wheels. The Metropolis sits on Citroën’s Hydractive suspension, of course.

More pictures after the jump.
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Toyota Camry Hybrid production & sales begin in China

April 19, 2010 at 6:44 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Toyota

The production of the Toyota Camry Hybrid (the version with the Aurion-style look) has started in China via Toyota’s partner Guangzhou Toyota Motor. The Camry Hybrid will be sold between 319,800 yuan to 364,800 yuan, which roughly translates to between RM150k to RM172k at current exchange rates.

The Camry Hybrid is now produced at a few locations around the world – Kentucky, Thailand, Australia, Japan and now China. Not all produce the same version though – there are some that produce the US and Japanese market bodytype while the rest produce the Aurion-based body. The fundamentals under the metal are the same though – a 2.4 litre Atkinson cycle 2AZ-FXE engine producing 147 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 187Nm of torque at 4,400rpm, paired to a 30kW (40 horses) electric motor with 270Nm of torque.

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BYD Auto’s first SUV caught in the open

April 6, 2010 at 10:18 am By Danny Tan Filed Under BYD, Cars, China, Spyshots


BYD Auto is perhaps better known here as a Chinese brand with a range that rips off other cars, but the ambitious Shenzhen based automaker is actually pretty advanced in the development of hybrids and EVs, and counts Warrern Buffet as a stake holder. We struggle to understand why BYD won’t invest in car design or hire foreign design houses like what many of its local rivals are doing. Perhaps it’s not because they aren’t capable of an original looking car, and apeing the looks of successful models could be a strategy in itself.

Here are pics of the company’s first SUV caught testing. Speculated to carry the name S6, it will have a full electronic sunroof, a sliding luggage rack and could introduce keyless entry. Power is likely to be from the same engine as the BYD M6, a Mitsubishi supplied 4G69 2.4-litre with 160 bhp and 215Nm. China Car Times also says that a 2.0-litre model self developed engine will be included in the lineup; it makes 140 bhp and 186Nm and will only be available with a manual transmission.

As for the S6′s looks, we’ll let you draw the similarities. More images after the jump.

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BYD considering taking Maybach off Daimler’s hands?

March 29, 2010 at 11:23 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under BYD, Cars, China, Maybach, Rumours

BYD E6

We got news earlier this year that BYD and Daimler AG would be teaming up to develop electric vehicles and EV-related components in China. BYD is a Chinese company and is best known for coming from a battery manufacturing background, thus giving it an advantage in the new world of electric vehicles as well as being backed by famous investor Warren Buffet.

“We continue to push ahead as a global leader in electric mobility. Daimler’s know-how in electric-vehicle architecture and BYD’s excellence in battery technology and e-drive systems are a perfect match,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler’s Chairman of the Management Board.

Maybach Zeppelin

But apparently being in the same ‘electric bed’ has led to some more discussions and word is that BYD is considering buying Daimler’s Maybach luxury brand. Maybach hasn’t been doing very well compared to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, although I have to admit that its scarcity on the road lends it a far more superior presence compared to its rivals, at least here in Malaysia. I have never seen a Maybach with civilian plates here in Malaysia – only royal seals, while you can see lots of rich people driving Bentley Continental GTs around.

But the Maybach itself is based on a really old W140 S-Class platform – the same one as the famous Princess Diana car. It is of course updated and refined to Maybach standards but the fact remains that Maybachs still look like giant S-Classes. Rumours are that Maybach’s sole model will probably undergo one last facelift in April and then once that model runs out, it will be shut down. If BYD buys over Maybach it may be able to do something with it – a big Maybach with massive in-wheel electric motors and batteries may end up being the fastest, quietest and most advanced luxury cruiser around.

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Ford and Geely reach definitive agreement over Volvo sale

March 29, 2010 at 12:39 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Ford, Geely, International News

Ford has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Volvo Car Corporation to Chinese carmaker Geely. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. The purchase price for Volvo and related assets (mainly intellectual property) is US$1.8 billion.

Ford said that it will continue to cooperate with Volvo in several areas after the sale has been completed in order to ensure a smooth transition, but will not retain any ownership. Following completion of the sale, Ford will continue to supply Volvo Cars with powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components. The Detroit automaker is also committed to provide engineering support, information technology and access to tooling for common components, among other services for a “transition period to ensure a smooth separation process”.

Both parties have established agreements to govern the use of intellectual property, which will “allow both Volvo and Ford to deliver their business plans and provide appropriate safeguards against misuse”. The agreements are said to allow Volvo to grant sublicenses to certain portions of Ford’s intellectual property used by Volvo Cars to third parties, including Geely. Looks like Geely cannot simply pick off tech from the Volvo tree, even though they own it.

Stephen Odell, CEO of Volvo Cars, said: “The Volvo management team fully endorses Ford’s sale of Volvo Cars to Geely. We believe this is the right outcome for the business, and will provide Volvo Cars with the necessary resources, including the capital investment, to strengthen the business and to continue to move it forward in the future.

“Geely has been very supportive of Volvo Cars’ business plans and management team. We look forward to building a strong relationship between Volvo Cars and Geely, and to maintaining a strong relationship with Ford in those areas where we will continue to work together to ensure a smooth transition,” he added.

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Geely secures financing for Volvo purchase, scouting for Chinese production base

March 12, 2010 at 1:57 am By Danny Tan Filed Under China, Geely, Volvo

Chinese automaker Geely has managed to find USD 2.1 billion worth of financing and will seal an agreement with Ford for the acquisition of Volvo Car Corporation by the end of this month, according to reports. The capital was raised from unidentified financial institutions and local governments.

An AFP report said that Geely does not plan to move Volvo production of to China. Trade unions in Sweden are fearing job cuts at Volvo Cars, which has 16,000 staff on its payroll in the high cost Scandinavian country and 8,000 more across the globe.

At the same time, news sources from Hong Kong (where Geely is listed) say that the Hangzhou based company is selecting locations in China for Volvo production, with Beijing and Tianjin vying for the project. The reports add that Geely will set up a plant in China with a production capacity of about 300,000 vehicles annually, nearly doubling Volvo’s global output. This move is aimed to steer Volvo into profitability before 2011 through China’s lower manufacturing and labour costs. If this plan works, the fears of the well paid fatihfuls back in Gothenburg is very likely to turn into reality.

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China-made London cabs on the streets of Kiev?

March 11, 2010 at 12:11 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, China, Geely, International News

Kiev, the capital of Ukraine is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a much anticipated new model. No, not the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (which is rumoured to be coming soon to Malaysia by the way) but the legendary London Taxi as Kiev is set to become one of the first cities in the world to introduce the iconic vehicle.

The London cab is built by the same company who designed it over 60 years ago. “We know more about taxi design and manufacture than anyone,” said Matthew Cheyne, LTI Vehicles’ International Market Development Director, “and it’s that expertise that we are bringing to Kiev.”

Today’s version of the black cab is built in China by LTI and their joint venture company Geely. “We have been working for a long time to produce a cost effective vehicle that doesn’t lose any of the values that the taxi has in the UK. It is the same design and is as robust as the one we build in Britain but is a lower cost,” adds Cheyne.

LTI Vehicles claims that it has numerous advance enquiries from Ukraine, and is looking for a partner who will import the vehicle and provide sales and aftersales back up.

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