Je trouve le look exterieur assez sympa. J'ai plus de mal avec l'interieur.
Arrivée prévu pour 2007 ?
Pas avant la fin 2009 pour le marché européen, si certains sont intéressés
Source :
SAIC puts brakes on its plan to export self-branded autos
Jin Jing
2006-10-13
SHANGHAI Automotive Industrial Corp plans to postpone exports of its self-branded cars from the end of next year to 2009, aiming to first build a stronger position on the domestic market. "The Chinese auto industry will witness sustained growth within the next 20 years, and we are strongly convinced there will be expanding potential for Chinese car brands," Chen Hong, president of SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, told Shanghai Daily in an interview yesterday.
The company's first model, a mid-to-high-end sedan, is called the Roewe, or Rong Wei in Chinese. It was developed from the Rover 75 after SAIC bought design and intellectual property rights from the bankrupt British MG Rover Corp.
The engine has been retooled to meet Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission standards, and other major parts including the chassis, steering system and interior decoration have been redesigned.
SAIC, the domestic partner of General Motors Corp and Volkswagen AG, said product differentiation will help it stand out in the competition against its two joint ventures.
"The time is ripe for our own brand," Chen said, who added that the company's new model will allow SAIC to have a bigger say in operating a car brand within the Chinese auto industry.
The next model, the W261, will be assembled on a completely new platform, established by engineers in Britain, Shanghai and South Korea, according to Chen.
SAIC Motor will debut its first model this month, and mass production will begin by the year's end. The company will start taking orders through 55 dealers across the country in the initial stage.
SAIC Motor plans to launch 30 models in all mainstream market segment, based on a 13.6 billion yuan (US$1.7 billion) investment in its self-branded car program over the next five years.
It will be able to produce 120,000 vehicles by next year, and production should reach 300,000 by 2010.
Domestic carmakers have been encouraged to roll out their own models to enhance the competitiveness of the Chinese auto industry.
Big state-owned automobile manufacturers such as First Automotive Works Corp, China's largest carmaker, Brilliance Automobile Group and privately owned Geely Automobile Holdings Corp have launched their own models.