On Wednesday, the 2012 Chery Eastar hit the market, struggling to win over consumers through offering more space and upgraded styling. Yet, despite a 68mm increase in wheelbase and a new interior clearly imitating that of an Audi, the model remains bland and forgettable.

The two engine options, ACTECO 1.8 and 2.0 DVVT, are familiar choices for Chery, so are the 5MT and CVT. The only 1.8 version, with a 5MT, sells for 95,800 Yuan (15,144 US dollars), the five 2.0 versions for 103,800 Yuan – 135,800 Yuan.

For specifications, please check out the table low.

SGMW and GM Egypt signed a technological license and engineering services agreement in November, 2011, regarding the assembly of the Chevy Move N300 in Egypt. Annual production of the cheap van is expected to reach 5,000. Currently, the N300 is available locally as an imported model; so is the smaller N200, a re-badged Wuling Hongtu.

Egypt is the first but not the only foreign country to produce Wuling models. In August, another model from SGMW, the Wuling Hongguang or CN100, is scheduled to roll off line at GM’s factory in Halol, India.

SGMW, the largest microvan maker in China, delivered over 1.3 million vehicles in 2011, including 1.21 million Wuling brand models (mostly micovans). Sales of the Rongguang/N300, which was originally released on June 13, 2008, reached 1 million in early March this year.

The company shipped a limited 14,000 units to foreign markets in 2011. This year, it targets over 20,000 in overseas sales.

From an annoymous source at the company, we have learned that Jonway acquired the 2e through buying the California-based Aptera Motors, which went into bankkrupcy protection last December.

Neither Jonway nor its partner ZAP has so far made any formal announcement on the matter. In Jonway’s official press release on the auto show, there is this vague statement describing the "new energy vehicle" (NEV) concept: "At this auto show, Jonway Auto reveals its latest achievements in the NEV field– an A380 EV in chocolate color and a futuristic concept. They show the strengths of this forward-looking company in the NEV field. The NEV concept, in particular, came out of the ZAP-Jonway cooperation. With an eye-catching appearance, it points to an exciting trend in the EV industry…" (translated from Chinese).

Based in Zhejiang province, Jonway started to make SUVs eight years ago. In 2010, it established a joint venture to build EVs with ZAP.

Besides the re-badged Aptera 2e, Jonway also showcased both a gasoline and an electric version of the A380 SUV as well as a microvan called "Wuxing" (meaning "five stars").

In April, 890,300 sedans and hatchbacks were delivered, 12.61% more than a year earlier; 42,900 MPVs, 7.3% more; 156,500 SUVs, 33.59% more; and 186,300 microvans, 0.29% less. Below are the best-selling sedans/hatchbacks and SUVs.

In other words, the upcoming Venucia SUV will be a close relative of Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai, the MPV will be modeled upon NV200, Livina, or Succe, and the Venucia flagship will be a sibling of Teana. All of the four new cars will be released before 2015

Currently only one Venucia model is on the market, the D50 sedan, which shares platform with Nissan Tiida.

Dongfeng Nissan expects Venucia to sell 300,000 units by the end of 2015, including about 50,000 Venucia EVs.

The decline at Shanghai GM was mainly caused by slow demand for Chevy cars. While the popularity of Sail and Cruze continued to rise, sales of the whole Chevy lineup fell 6.2% on year and over 30% on month to 41,555. Buick saw a 1.7% increase from a year ago, delivering 54,013 units, thanks to the strong performance of Excelle (not including Excelle XT and GT); what must be worrying Shanghai GM is that both Regal and LaCrosse have been stuck in low gear, lagging far behind segment leaders such as VW Passat, Nissan Teana, and Honda Accord.

The company’s cross-town rival, Shanghai Volkswagen, sold over 110,000 units in April, 11% more than a year earlier.

In the past year, spyshots have emerged of the new logos of the three GWM divisions: Voleex, Haval, and Wingle, which are distinct from the current "Great Wall" logo. They clearly indicate the company has been attempting to revamp its visual identity.

Above: the Voleex C30 sedan was re-named as "Great Wall C30" as shown at 2012 Auto China in Beijing.

Ms. Wang also said that GWM was preparing to launch–probably in the second half of 2012–a new, distinct logo for the Haval models and set up separate dealership network to sell them in China. Compared with Voleex, Haval has a longer history and much bigger reputation.

In recent years, GWM and other native automakers have commonly changed their brands or logos and launched new ones, anxious to find a proper place in the fast growing industry. GWM, BYD, Geely, BAIC, and Changan, to name a few, have adopted new corporate logos (the current Great Wall logo was unveiled in 2007), while a group of child-brands have been launched.

Going on sale on April 23, Gleagle GX7 is made in Geely’s Chengdu factory. Currently two engine options are provided, both from Geely: JL4G18 1.8L (102kW/6200rpm and 172kW/4200rpm) and JLδ-4G20 2.0L (104kw/6000rpm and 178Nm/4000-4500rpm); they are mated with a 5-speed manual transmission (JL-S170B). Future 2.0 and 2.4 GX7 models will feature a 6-speed auto gearbox from Australia’s DSI, which Geely bought in 2009.

Sitting on a 2661mm wheelbase, the GX7 is 4541mm long, 1833mm wide, and 1700mm high. It has a ground clearance of 172mm.

Prices start from 92,900 Yuan (14,729 US dollars) for a 1.8 MT. The forthcoming 2.4 AT is expected to sell for 129,900 Yuan. For its price, the GX7 is well-appointed. All versions come standard with parking radar, remote key, ABS/EBD, leather seats, speed-sensing door locks, and automatic headlights.

Outside, the Ciimo sedan evokes the sporty look of Civic FD2 Type R, while its interior replicates that of the regular eighth gen Civic. Wheelbase and external dimensions–except length–remain unchanged. With a 2700mm wheelbase and 4545mm body length, the Ciimo, just like the Civic, is marketed here as a mid-size rather than compact car.

For powertrain, Ciimo retains the 1.8L i-VTEC (103kW/6300rpm and 174Nm/4300rpm), which is mated to a 5MT or 5AT.

Compared with the eight gen Civic, the Ciimo is about 20,000-Yuan cheaper, selling for 111,800 Yuan (1.8 MT) and 119,800 Yuan (1.8 AT). Dongfeng Honda aims to deliver 20,000 Ciimo sedans this year.