ChinaAutoWeb - Archive

VW Gran Lavida: Shanghai Motor Show in Pics

Lavida, the best-selling Volkswagen model in China in recent months, is expected to defend its leading position with the release of new variants. The nameplate aims to deliver nearly 400,000 units this year, up from 246,687 in 2012. That increase alone exceeds Shanghai-Volkswagen’s overall target of gaining about 100,000 in 2013 sales. The feat is … Read more →

2013 Buick Riviera Concept: Shanghai Auto Show in Pics

On the eve of the 2013 Shanghai motor show Buick unveiled an upgraded version of the Riviera concept debuted 6 years ago. Designed by Shanghai-GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), the 2013 coupe concept sports a sophisticated e-drive system while radicalizing some of the cool styling features on the 2007 model. The new Riviera … Read more →

Skoda Rapid Goes on Sale, Priced from 79,900 Yuan

The collection of Chinese-built Skodas officially increased to four items on April 18 as Shanghai-Volkswagen (SVW) released the Rapid. Available in three trim levels–Active, Ambition, and Elegand, the compact sedan is priced between 79,900-116,900 Yuan (US$12,927-18,927), and thus noticeably cheaper than its two siblings, the re-designed Jetta from FAW-Volkswagen and Santana from SVW. Built on … Read more →

SAIC Copies Ssangyong Korando for MG SUV

March 25th, 2013 | Posted in New Cars | SAIC

The MG division of SAIC (Shanghai Auto) is preparing to launch its first SUV, spy shots from bitauto.com show. The upcoming MG car looks so close to Ssangyong Korando that it was mistaken for a facelifted version of the latter by worldcarfans.com earlier this month. The white test car exposed bears no logo, but the … Read more →

SAIC’s Maxus MPV Spied

February 28th, 2013 | Posted in New Cars | SAIC

SAIC Commercial Vehicle is exposed developing a seven-seat people carrier, which would be the second model, after the V80 van, to carry the Maxus (Datong) brand. Based on a different platform than the V80, the spied prototype has a front engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, and employs multi links rather than leaf springs in rear suspension … Read more →

Shanghai-GM Released Cadillac XTS, Priced from $56,163

February 26th, 2013 | Posted in GM | New Cars | SAIC

At a ceremony held Monday evening in Guangzhou, the joint venture of SAIC and General Motors announced the market launch of the Cadillac XTS luxury sedan. With two engine options, a 3.6L V6 and turbo 2.0L, the Chinese-made XTS is priced between 349,900 and 569,900 Yuan (US$56,163-91,475), taking direct aim at BMW 5 series, Audi … Read more →

SAIC Sales Rose 12% to 4.49 Million in 2012

January 7th, 2013 | Posted in GM | SAIC | Sales | Volkswagen

The subsidiaries and joint ventures of SAIC (Shanghai Auto) delivered a total of 4,490,211 vehicles last year, 12% more than 2011, data from the auto group show. 90% of the sales were accomplished by three ventures: SAIC-GM-Wuling (1,458,188), Shanghai-GM (1,392,658), and Shanghai-Volkswagen (1,280,008). SAIC’s own passenger car division, which operates the MG and Roewe brands, … Read more →

2012 Sales of SGMW Topped 1.45 Million

January 4th, 2013 | Posted in GM | SAIC | Sales | SGMW

SGMW announced today that it successfully defended its title as the largest auto venture in China by delivering 1,458,000 vehicles in 2012 (although conglomerates like SAIC, FAW, Dongfeng, Changan, and BAIC, claim larger combined sales from affiliates). Growing 12% on year, sales exceeded the original target of 1.35 million. For 2013, SGMW eyes a modest … Read more →

SAIC and CP Group to Build MG Cars in Thailand

December 4th, 2012 | Posted in SAIC

SAIC and Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) signed a contract on Tuesday to jointly build MG cars in Thailand. In the first stage of their cooperation, an annual production capacity of 50,000 units will be created by 2014 with an investment of 1.8 billion Yuan. A long-term goal is to increase the capacity to 200,000. … Read more →

Shanghai-GM Aims to Sell 1.45 Million Cars in 2013

The general manager of Shanghai-GM, Ye Yongming, revealed at the 2012 Guangzhou Auto Show that the company had set the goal of producing and selling 1.45 million vehicles next year. Sales of this year are expected to exceed 1.38 million. In the first ten months of 2012, the joint venture between SAIC and General Motors … Read more →

New VW Santana: 2012 Guangzhou Auto Show in Pics (6)

Launched in Wolfsburg, Germany, the all-new Santana from Shanghai-Volkswagen made its Chinese debut in Guangzhou. The legendary car, with nearly 4 million deliveries since its first release in China 29 years ago, is slated for release next month. Prices are expected to start below 90,000 Yuan. Beyond the name, the re-designed Santana shares little with … Read more →

Shanghai-GM Releases Springo Sail EV: 2012 Guangzhou Auto Show in Pics (1)

As the 2012 Guangzhou Auto Show opened to journalists today, Shanghai-GM announced the release of its first all-electric model, the Springo Sail EV. The production version of the Sail EV concept showcased two years ago, it sells for 258,000 Yuan (US$413,800) before incentives. A pure-electric version of the Chevy Sail hatchback, the Springo EV is … Read more →

SGMW Opens “Baojun Auto City”

November 20th, 2012 | Posted in GM | SAIC | SGMW

On November 18, its tenth anniversary, the three-way joint venture of SAIC, GM, and Wuling (SGMW) started production in "Baojun Auto City," its new base in Liuzhou, Guangxi. Occupying a land of 207 hectares in the eastern part of the city, the new base is designed to churn out 400,000 Baojun-brand passenger cars a year. … Read more →

Spy Shots of VW Lavida Sportback, Disguised as a Skoda

November 15th, 2012 | Posted in New Cars | SAIC | Volkswagen | VW

News about a hatchback variant of the Lavida first emerged in the second half of 2011. Since then, renderings of it have been seen but not the real thing–until now. Or, it just did not get recognized. According to auto.sohu.com, the "Skoda station wagon" previously spied on Chinese roads was the upcoming hatchback, called "Lavida … Read more →

Buick Excelle to Get Smaller, 1.5L Engine for 2013

When the XT and GT were launched in 2010, the old Excelle was expected to be fully retired in two year. However, as the aged has retained its popularity, Shanghai-GM has decided to keep it on the new car market. The Excelle, not covering the Excelle XT or GT, was the No.1 best-selling sedan in … Read more →