Geely is preparing a debut full-size SUV EX9 Pics

The upcoming International Motor Show in Shanghai, which opened in April, will host the world premiere of the new Chinese luxury SUV Geely EX9.

Full-size SUV was first revealed EX9 road to peace as a concept last spring at the Beijing exhibition. The largest passenger car Geely, which will produce its sub-brand Emgrand, at length reaches 4,800 mm in width - 1,870 mm in height - 1,810, wheelbase SUV is 2850 mm.

Accurate information about power line Emgrand EX9 media representatives do not yet have. We only know that the car will be equipped with 3.5-liter gasoline engine V6. The power plant, independently developed by automaker, has a capacity of 277 hp and torque of 346 Nm. The initial price of the model in the Chinese market will be $ 35,000.

Its first crossover - Emgrand EX7 - Chinese Concern introduced late last year at an exhibition in Guangzhou. The car, which has many similarities with the Toyota RAV4, go to market with gasoline engines. Buyers can choose between a 4-cylinder engine of 1.8 liter capacity 138 hp and 144-horsepower engine capacity of 2.0 liters. Engines are available as a five-speed manual gearbox, and with a quad "machine".

Volvo to Build New Car Plant in China, Aims to Sell 200,000 Vehicles in the Chinese Market by 2015

At a press conference held earlier today in Beijing, Chinese-owned Volvo Cars announced plans to build a new plant in the city of Chengdu and continuing investigations for a second factory in Daqing, in north-eastern China. Volvo said that the deal is still pending approval from the Chinese government.

"We regard the Chinese market as the second home market for Volvo Car Corporation and a very important part of the plan to build a successful future for the company," said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The Chengdu assembly plant will only build Volvo cars and have an initial output of around 100,000 cars annually, with production estimated to start during 2013. Volvo said that the decision to expand in China will not affect operations and employment in Europe.

"We will build an entirely new plant in Chengdu and further investigate the opportunities for establishing an additional factory in Daqing," said Jacoby. "Our production in China will, however, not have any impact on decisions affecting capacity utilization of our plants in Sweden and Belgium" says Stefan Jacoby.

The Swedish automaker, which was acquired from Ford by China's Geely in 2010, also announced that Shanghai will serve as Volvo Car China's headquarters and centre for product development, design and sourcing. "Among other priorities, Volvo Car China will also support Volvo Corporation R&D in Sweden regarding the development of electric vehicles and hybrids," the company said in a statement.

"The Volvo Car China Technology Centre in Shanghai will develop into a complete product development organization on an international level," said Freeman Shen, Volvo Car Corporation SVP & China Operations Chairman. "It will have the competence and capacity to work together with the HQ in Sweden, participating in Volvo Car Corporation's work process for developing entirely new models."

Volvo said that it plans to increase its business presence in the China and aims to reach a sales volume of about 200,000 cars a year in the country by 2015. The company's global retail sales during 2010 reached 373,525 (an increase of 11.2 per cent compared to 2009), with only 30,000 of those sold in China.

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Will China's BYD Bring the F3DM to the U.S. or will this be Just Another Broken Promise?

When it comes to making cars, China is king. We’re talking the world’s largest car market, with over a hundred individual marques. So why is it that there are virtually zero Chinese car manufactures selling cars in the U.S. aka the world’s other largest car market?

So far, China’s “Big Four” (well, the four most visible to those outside of China) have made and broken promises of bringing their vehicles to the North American market. Brilliance, Chery, Nanjing and Geely have all backed down from their plans to open dealerships and factories stateside. So far, not a single car from China's major automakers has touched down on U.S. soil outside a motor show.

Senior analyst Bill Visnic of Edmunds.com explains why: “This isn’t computers or cellphones, where you just get into a big-box store. You need some dealerships, and those things are tremendous investments of time and resources. [The Chinese] thought it was going to be a lot easier than it was.”

BYD hopes to change all that. China’s sixth largest automaker provided plug-in hybrid cars to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and now plans on bringing that hybrid, the awkwardly named F3DM, to the U.S.A. for Spring 2012. It still could be an uphill challenge, though.

The fallout from the slump in auto sales after the Global Financial Crisis, the government’s bailouts of two of the Big Three, the liquidation of numerous dealerships and the reduction in hybrid sales that came with the sudden drop in fuel prices is still being felt in much of America’s automotive heartland. Add to that the small market share commanded by hybrid and electric vehicles – just 2.2% worldwide according to JD Power – and BYD may be in over their heads already.

AS Mike Omotoso from JD Power explains:

“Because consumers are wary about electric vehicles and their driving range and batteries, they are even more likely to go with more established companies like G.M. and Nissan. The problem with the Chinese car companies is they are trying to run before they walk.”

Only time will tell if BYD’s U.S. plans end in fruition or failure.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: New York Times

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Volvo to Cut Down its U.S. Lineup, V50 Among the First to go

With its U.S. sales steadily declining for 7 years now, Volvo has no choice but to radically rethink its strategy. The Swedish automaker is currently offering nine models in the States or about as many as Volkswagen does, but it sold almost five times fewer cars than the Germans in 2010.

Consequently, the Swedish brand, which is now owned by China's Geely, has decided to significantly reduce the number of models in its North American lineup and concentrate on best-selling vehicles in an effort to increase sales.

“Five or six is probably a good number”, said Doug Speck, head of Volvo’s operations in the U.S., in a telephone interview for Bloomberg. “We have to focus on the key segments with significant volume potential”.

Mr. Speck confirmed that the V50 estate is sure to go, although didn’t specify exactly when, saying that dealers will be notified first. The manufacturer hasn’t decided yet which other models will be phased out, but it will definitely keep the S60 sedan and the XC60 and XC90 crossovers, he added.

Volvo will also try to boost sales with more advertising and expects “double-digit” percentage growth in the U.S in 2011.

As for the near future, Mr. Speck said that Volvo will introduce hybrids and all-electric cars, but declined to say if it will bring diesels to America.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

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China's Geely Completes Takeover of Volvo from Ford

Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. (simply known as Geely) completed the purchase of Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Co. on Monday. According to Ford, Geely paid $1.3 billion in cash today and issued a $200 million note for the acquisition of the Swedish carmaker. The exact amount of the final sale price will be announced later this year when the final adjustments on Volvo's value are made, and could result in additional proceeds to Ford.

"Volvo is an excellent brand with a strong product line, and it has returned to profits after a successful restructuring. We are confident Volvo has a solid future under Geely's ownership," said Alan Mulally, Ford's president and CEO.

"At the same time, the sale of Volvo will allow us to sharpen our focus on the Ford brand around the world and continue to deliver on our One Ford plan serving our customers with the very best cars and trucks in the world."

Under the agreement, Ford will continue to cooperate with Volvo in several areas supplying powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components. It will also provide engineering support, information technology, access to tooling for common components, and other selected services for a transition period.

The Detroit automaker added that it has also come to an agreement with Geely on the use of intellectual property.

As previously announced, Stephen Odell, CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, will return to Ford as group vice president and Chairman and CEO of Ford Europe. Stuart Rowley, CFO of Volvo Cars, will also head back toFord as chief financial officer, Ford Europe.

"Volvo is a proud company with a talented and dedicated team of employees," said Odell. "I am especially pleased that with Ford's continued investment in recent years, Volvo is well positioned for the future with an exciting range of products that remain true to its core values – safety, quality, environmental responsibility and modern Scandinavian design."

Geely has announced that Volkswagen's former U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby will replace Odell and become CEO of Volvo Car starting from this month.

Geely introduced 11 new products - 2011 New Geely Models Pictures

April 27 opened the door for visitors, Beijing Motor Show - Auto China 2010. Car exhibition brought together more than 2000 producers from 16 countries. The largest Chinese automaker, the company Geely, presented at the stand scale, area of 3000 m2, 54 exhibits, 11 of which - the premiere.

Company in Beijing opened this year under the motto "For cleaner tomorrow» (For a Greener Tomorrow). This means that the central place here will be given an environmentally friendly vehicle. The exhibition area is enormous - 200 000 m2. She collected 2,000 automakers from 16 countries, showing 990 cars and 89 auto premier.

The largest Chinese automaker, the company Geely, at the motor show Auto China 2010 in favor with the large-scale exposition. Stand area - 3000 m2. It takes a good half of the exhibition hall. Along the perimeter of the stand installed huge plasma screens, performing the function of bright vibrant background exhibits Geely. Their company has whole 54, 39 of which - cars, 14 power plants and one exhibition layout.

Exposition company is divided into six zones. Three zones occupy separate subbrands Geely: Emgrand, Gleagle and Englon. Even in the three theme parks built in displaying powertrain: Safety Park, Power Train Park and the New Energy Park. Also, the Chinese automaker demonstrates the security system of own development. One of them - the famous active safety system - BMBS, which helps the driver lost control of his car in case of sudden puncture or rupture of the wheel. Park transmissions adjacent to the park "New Energy", where the company Geely, following up with the times, shows own the latest developments in the field of electric motors and hybrid technology. Together, these two parks are intended to demonstrate the global trend of development of the Chinese company, which does not stand still, and with the latest developments in the area Motors intends to increase its competitiveness is the world globally.

For world markets, and is ruler subbrands Geely - Emgrand, Gleagle and Englon, which the company introduced the world last year at the Shanghai Motor Show. At the Auto China 2010 is represented serial models. And their bench, there are 30 cars: 11 models under subbrands Emgrand, 10 models and brands Gleagle 9 models Englon. The variety is impressive: eight sedans, hatchbacks, seven, seven SUVs and crossover vehicles, minivan, four, two sports car and two pickups. It was here, in the stands subbrands, presented 11 prime Geely.

At the exhibition there was a place and the new modifications of already known Ukrainians models Geely - affordable sedans in the class IC, sedan and hatchback class "C» - Geely MK and MK-2, Saloon Class «C-high» - Geely FC. But at the same time, "stoppers" huge "dzhiliyskoy" exhibition are the viewers are already familiar "concepts" in the past, but now the model received a life on the assembly line - a super-car Geely GT; mini-car, fueled by energy from the solar battery located on the roof, three-door "baby» Geely IG; representation Geely GE and London cab Geely TXN. All models for the year experienced restyling and demonstrated in a new guise.

Remarkably, at the Beijing Motor Company Geely does not represent a single concept car. This emphasizes that in these times when the world economy is experiencing a financial crisis, we must focus on the effectiveness of development and approach them with a good dose of pragmatism. At the exhibition the company announced its intentions to further the global automotive industry: by 2015 to produce 40 models of cars. Company's plans do not seem overly ambitious, given that it already produces 30 models of cars.

From a range of new products the Chinese automotive exposition Geely in Ukraine will most likely fall avtomobilchik A-class, and along with it - the premium-class sedan and crossover under subbrands Emgrand.

China's Geely Updates its GE Rolls Royce Lookalike for the Beijing Auto Show

Volvo's new owner and China's top private automaker, Geely Automobile, has revealed a reworked version of its GE limousine prototype that drew attention last year for its... passing resemblance to the Rolls Royce Phantom.

For whatever reasons, Geely decided to modify the design of the 5.29 meter or about 17.3-foot long executive limo making it look more Chinese and less British.

The car now features a more bloated front end and a redesigned rear end while the Chinese maker also replaced the single throne at the rear with a more plebian seat bench for two.

The revised Geely GE limo will make its world debut at this month's Beijing Auto Show.