Summer time is always a poor time for car sales, its simply just too hot to get customers through the big doors at dealerships especially when its average at least 35 degrees centigrade during the day in many east coast cities. However at this time of year its certainly a buyers market with plenty of discounts and the sellers are actively trying to entice customers through the door with new models.
Geely SUV
The Emgrand EX718 is Geely’s first SUV to hit the roads, whilst Chery and all of Geely’s closest rivals were eager to start producing SUV’s and crack in on the market, Geely floundered with sedans and odd hatchbacks. This time it looks like they’ve caught up to Chery’s Tiggo3 with the 1.8L SUV. Pricing is currently unknown but it is expected to be in the 80,000rmb to 130,000rmb segment.
The SUV will most likely first come in manual form, and then will be followed up with an automatic gearbox from Geely’s own gearbox company, DSI, who recently set up a factory in Jining close to Geely’s Jinan, Shandong, factory where this SUV is likely to be produced. As already mentioned, the pricing is expected to be competitive but conservative.
Facelift Nissan Tiida
The Nissan Tiida has proven to be a top seller for Dongfeng Nissan over the past few years, and it looks set to be getting its third and possibly final, facelift before the issuing of a new generation of car. The Tiida itself is sold in China in hatch and notchback sedan form, with the sole engine option being a 1.6L unit which is also shared with the Livina and the Bluebird Slyphy. Gearboxes are currently limited to a 5 speed manual and a 4 speed auto, which is quite a way behind the competition who are using 5 or 6 speed units now. A launch date of late October is being thrown around by the Chinese press so far.
Facelift Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is the world’s best selling car, but it is not China’s best selling car, that crown goes to BYD’s F3 which resembles the previous generation Corolla in more ways than one. The facelift Corolla is expected to be launched in FAW-Toyota’s hometown of Changchun in October.Perhaps with a new face it might be able to take on the unstoppable BYD F3.
Toyota Wish
Toyota have been dominated in the business MPV/wagon segment by the Honda Odyssey for quite some time, the Odyssey has become a very popular vehicle in its segment and has never had any serious competition from its big Japanese contender, at least until now. Toyota are planning to put the Wish MPV into production with their JV partner FAW and will be equipped with a 2.0L engine that is shared with the RAV4. The Wish will find itself with some stiff competition from the already popular Odyssey and the soon to be put into production Mazda5 MPV.
New Toyota Reiz
The Toyota Reiz is Toyota’s answer to the problem with the Camry. The Camry is a great sedan for business users and families alike, but for the aspiring gentlemen (or lady) that enjoys to take corners sideways then there is the Reiz sedan, a V6 RWD salary mans car that wafts in at 200bhp with a 2.5 V6 or for the man who likes power, a 3.0 V6 and 318bhp. Did someone mention Camry?
Facelift BS4
The Brilliance BS4 is one of China’s better looking mid size sedans, and it just got even better. The exterior has been given a more friendly, less Korea circa year 2000 and more refined upmarket facelift, the interior has not been spared either and now looks vastly improved compared to its predecessor. On the engine front it appears that the 1.6L engine has been vastly improved and can now be mated to a CVT gearbox.
The self developed 1.8T that Brilliance produced several years ago will still have a home in the facelift BS4, and will remain the flagship of the range. The BS4 Wagon has also been given a facelift. Look out for the BS4 photoblog over the next couple of days!
Geely Electric Panda
The Panda is quite possibly one of Geely’s finest cars to date in terms of build quality and pricing structure, its cheap, solid, and looks pretty good (ok, squint a bit). The 1.0L power-train has gone and has been replaced by a set of batteries and a motor. The Electric versions will come in two forms, one named the EK-1 and another the EK-2. The EK-1 is good for a top speed of 80kph whilst the more powerful version, the EK-2 can hit 150kph whilst both can travel for 180km on a full charge, a recharge to 80% of battery strength will only take 18 minutes. A launch date of before the end of the year is being touted by the Chinese automotive press.
The most awesome thing is that the electric Panda will be awarded a 60,000rmb subsidy for being a pure electric vehicle, which might make the end price a mere 80,000rmb at the top end.
GPEC-Sedan
Want to know what GPEC stands for? Its Geely Plugin Electric Car, basically its Geely’s first shot at building a new energy hybrid that is powered by a 1.0L engine and has an electric motor for when the car runs out of battery juice. The 1.0L engine produces 70bhp, whilst the electric motor and battery pack have enough go in them to take you 60km on a single charge, assuming optimal conditions are met.
The sedan is Geely’s car to take on the so far poor selling BYD F3DM, but it will give Geely an amazing push in the green car race.
Ford Mondeo 2.0GTDI
The Ford Mondeo is the sales rep car of choice in Europe, especially in diesel form, and now that is coming to China as well. The Ford Mondeo 2.0GTDI is expected to launch in the second half of the year with its 2.0L Ecoboost engine and also a double clutch gearbox. The 2.0GTDI block is quite the performer with it having 149kW of power on tap and impressive 300Nm of torque to put through the front wheels.
The 2.0GTDI will launch in August, along with the 2011 Ford Fiesta which will also have a minor facelift.
Chang’an Ben Ben EV
The Chang’an Ben Ben Mini will launch in electric form later this year, and will find itself up against the equally cute Geely Panda for competition. The Ben Ben Mini will have a top speed of 120kph and will be able to travel for 150km on a single charge. Whilst the Geely Panda electric is heading into production, Chang’an have already produced these cars but have not formally entered onto the market as of yet.
source: Headline | New cars coming soon to China, and some facelifts too | China Car Times