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Motor Authority - blog Tag: SAIC

  • Chinese bureaucrats cause a ruffle by approving Mercedes and BMW cars for government use

    Chinese bureaucrats cause a ruffle by approving Mercedes and BMW cars for government use July 10th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 10th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 3 Comments

    Chinese bureaucrats cause a ruffle by approving Mercedes and BMW cars for government use China is now the single biggest market in the world for new cars but that doesn’t mean the government is slowing down on the purchase of cars for its official fleets. While this usually would not be worthy of reporting, the fact that the Chinese government has approved luxurious Mercedes Benz and BMW vehicles for its fleets has started to cause a stir among local citizens.

    The announcement was made last month and has since lead to an outpouring of criticism from people like 50-year old chauffeur Yang Jun, who stated to state-controlled newspaper People’s Daily: “Why should they enjoy such luxury? It’s a waste of... China is now the single biggest market in the world for new cars but that doesn’t mean the government is slowing down on the purchase of cars for its official fleets. While this usually would not be worthy of reporting, the fact that the Chinese government has approved luxurious Mercedes Benz and BMW vehicles for its fleets has started to cause a stir among local citizens. The announcement was made last month and has since lead to an outpouring of criticism from people like 50-year old chauffeur Yang Jun, who stated to state-controlled newspaper People’s Daily: “Why should they enjoy such luxury? It’s a waste of public money.” Adding to the anger is the hypocrisy of the government, which has been calling for people to buy domestic products in an effort to help boost the economy. In fairness, no cars have actually been bought as the Mercedes Benz and BMW brands have only been added to a list of approved vehicles for government purchase. Furthermore, the approved cars must be manufactured in China. Both Mercedes Benz and BMW build cars in China together with their respective local partners Beijing Automobile and Brilliance, and much of the government’s fleets are already filled up with Volkswagen and Audi vehicles.2010 Mercedes Benz S-Class facelift2010 BMW 7-series Read More

  • MG prepping new lower-cost TF 135 for UK

    MG prepping new lower-cost TF 135 for UK May 13th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, May 13th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 1 Comment

    MG prepping new lower-cost TF 135 for UK Chronicling MG's path through the last decade is tough enough, and delving further back borders on the arcane, but under SAIC's ownership, the line of British-built roadsters has been brought back to life, starting with the currently-available TF LE-500, and soon to be joined by an updated version of the TF 135.

    Those familiar with MG's UK operations will remember the TF 135 model name, and the vast majority of the car itself, from 2005, when MG was still MG Rover, before it was bought out by the Chinese. The car rejoining the British market is largely the same - it looks essentially identical - and will feature a 1.8L 16-valve K-series... Chronicling MG's path through the last decade is tough enough, and delving further back borders on the arcane, but under SAIC's ownership, the line of British-built roadsters has been brought back to life, starting with the currently-available TF LE-500, and soon to be joined by an updated version of the TF 135. Those familiar with MG's UK operations will remember the TF 135 model name, and the vast majority of the car itself, from 2005, when MG was still MG Rover, before it was bought out by the Chinese. The car rejoining the British market is largely the same - it looks essentially identical - and will feature a 1.8L 16-valve K-series engine rated at 135hp (100kW). Another car, an 85th anniversary edition, will also be joining the TF lineup soon, getting an upgraded suspension treatment with Bilstein shocks, shorter springs, new anti-torsion elements and upgraded anti-roll bars. For more on SAIC's revival of the MG brand and the TF LE-500, check out our previous coverage. To see what's coming down the road from MG, check out our future prospective here. Read More

  • Roewe prepping N1 Concept for Shanghai Auto Show

    Roewe prepping N1 Concept for Shanghai Auto Show April 10th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, April 10th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    Roewe prepping N1 Concept for Shanghai Auto Show Just a couple weeks ago, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) revealed new details about their upcoming MG lineup of cars, and now Roewe, also owned by SAIC, has let slip a few teaser sketches of its upcoming N1 Concept for the Shanghai Auto Show.

    Little is known about the N1 thus far, but its aggressive styling and four-door coupe layout fit well with the image the company is trying to project, both for itself and for MG.

    The new model could well serve double duty for both brands, especially when taken in light of remarks made in march by MG UK spokesperson Eleanor de la Haye. "We are currently developing a four-door model and... Just a couple weeks ago, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) revealed new details about their upcoming MG lineup of cars, and now Roewe, also owned by SAIC, has let slip a few teaser sketches of its upcoming N1 Concept for the Shanghai Auto Show. Little is known about the N1 thus far, but its aggressive styling and four-door coupe layout fit well with the image the company is trying to project, both for itself and for MG. The new model could well serve double duty for both brands, especially when taken in light of remarks made in march by MG UK spokesperson Eleanor de la Haye. "We are currently developing a four-door model and a five door model based on the Roewe 550 platform (pictured) that will be sold in U.K. and Ireland," de la haye told Automotive News Europe. If the N1 is indeed also sold as an MG, it will likely wear the name MG6 in the UK and Europe, though it'll retain the Roewe badging in China.Roewe N1 Concept Read More

  • MG6 Concept headed to Shanghai Auto Show

    MG6 Concept headed to Shanghai Auto Show April 7th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, April 7th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 3 Comments

    MG6 Concept headed to Shanghai Auto Show With all the commotion of this week’s New York Auto Show, it’s easy to forget that April is also the month of the Shanghai Auto Show. One of the local highlights planned for the upcoming event has just been previewed, the MG6 grand tourer concept.

    While most Chinese carmakers have so far concentrated on small, economical cars, a stylish grand tourer may be enough to get Western markets excited about Chinese built cars, which are improving in quality and design exponentially.

    Not much is known about the new concept but the images depict a svelte four-door coupe, with a fastback profile and a very aggressive look.

    All the MG... With all the commotion of this week’s New York Auto Show, it’s easy to forget that April is also the month of the Shanghai Auto Show. One of the local highlights planned for the upcoming event has just been previewed, the MG6 grand tourer concept. While most Chinese carmakers have so far concentrated on small, economical cars, a stylish grand tourer may be enough to get Western markets excited about Chinese built cars, which are improving in quality and design exponentially. Not much is known about the new concept but the images depict a svelte four-door coupe, with a fastback profile and a very aggressive look. All the MG models currently on sale, either in China or some parts of Europe, have been based on older MG and Rover designs. This appears to be the first uniquely designed vehicle to wear the MG badge in more than a decade and it’s a sign that there may be some promising things to come from the restored brand. More details should be revealed closer to the concept’s unveiling towards the end of the month.2009 MG6 Concept Read More

  • New details on SAIC's upcoming MG models

    New details on SAIC's upcoming MG models March 26th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, March 26th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    New details on SAIC's upcoming MG models The long-awaited resurrection of MG in the UK finally got underway late last year with the construction of MG TF roadsers at the Longbridge, UK plant. Last September SAIC announced it would be expanding the MG lineup with three new cars, and now the company has revealed the first will be coming by the end of the year.

    The new MG will be sold first in China, but UK and European sale will follow, reports Automotive News Europe."We are currently developing a four-door model and a five door model based on the Roewe 550 platform (pictured) that will be sold in U.K. and Ireland," said Eleanor de la Haye, MG's UK representative.

    In China the new... The long-awaited resurrection of MG in the UK finally got underway late last year with the construction of MG TF roadsers at the Longbridge, UK plant. Last September SAIC announced it would be expanding the MG lineup with three new cars, and now the company has revealed the first will be coming by the end of the year. The new MG will be sold first in China, but UK and European sale will follow, reports Automotive News Europe."We are currently developing a four-door model and a five door model based on the Roewe 550 platform (pictured) that will be sold in U.K. and Ireland," said Eleanor de la Haye, MG's UK representative. In China the new MG6, as the model will be called, joins the MG7, MG3SW hatch and MG TF roadster. Details on the upcoming lineup released last year indicate the new Roewe-based car will be targeted at the Ford Focus small hatch segment when it comes to Europe. The next two models to come from SAIC-MG will be a minicar along the lines of the Fiat 500 or Ford Ka, and finally a new sports car to replace the TF, which is already showing its age. Unfortunately there are no plans yet for U.S. sale, and earlier plans to send flat-pack cars for final assembly in North America were canceled when a deal with the Oklahoma distributor fell through.Roewe 550 Read More

  • Report: Chinese government gives Chery Auto approval for Volvo acquisition

    Report: Chinese government gives Chery Auto approval for Volvo acquisition March 7th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, March 7th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 7 Comments

    Report: Chinese government gives Chery Auto approval for Volvo acquisition Ford is having trouble offloading its failing Volvo subsidiary but the company is determined to sell it and has already started approaching potential buyers in spite of the tough economic conditions. The Blue Oval has been in talks with a number of potential suitors in the recent past, and the first of these other parties will reportedly submit indicative bids for Volvo as early as this April.

    A person familiar with the matter has now revealed to Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post that the Chinese government has given approval for Chery Auto to buy Volvo from Ford. Other parties also rumored to be interested in the Swedish carmaker... Ford is having trouble offloading its failing Volvo subsidiary but the company is determined to sell it and has already started approaching potential buyers in spite of the tough economic conditions. The Blue Oval has been in talks with a number of potential suitors in the recent past, and the first of these other parties will reportedly submit indicative bids for Volvo as early as this April. A person familiar with the matter has now revealed to Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post that the Chinese government has given approval for Chery Auto to buy Volvo from Ford. Other parties also rumored to be interested in the Swedish carmaker include fellow Chinese carmakers Dongfeng Motor Group and Chongqing Changan, as well as a European constellation. None of the aforementioned parties have confirmed an interest in Volvo, however, last month Chery Auto boss Yin Tongyao said that his company would not rule out the possibility of buying a troubled European brand. Volvo was looking almost unsellable just a few weeks ago but with the Swedish government announcing that it is willing to back €445 million ($572 million) in loan guarantees for the carmaker the deal has been sweetened a little. A Chinese company could benefit greatly from acquiring Volvo, especially with the Swedish carmaker’s research and development teams and reputation for safety, which so far has been lacking in most Chinese made cars. Volvo's North American dealership network could also prove attractive to emerging Chinese buyers in particular. Read More

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