Tag Archives: china

Qorus, New Chinese Brand Coming to China, Europe, Mid-East

Posted on 7 November 2012 by Ken Zino

China-based Qoros Auto Company will debut a new compact or C-class sedan at next year’s Geneva Motor Show as part of what it claims will be a series of vehicles aimed at buyers in China, Europe and the Middle East. This business plan, of course is easily done by press release. However, the design, development, manufacturing and wholesaling of actual cars and light trucks sometimes is more difficult, occasionally thwarting even the best of established automakers. Continue reading →

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GM and BMW Diagnostic Tool Counterfeiter Arrested in Virginia

Posted on 26 October 2012 by Ken Zino

The seller of Chinese-built counterfeit tools was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia for alleged participating in a conspiracy to sell U.S. consumers more than $3 million worth of counterfeit General Motors (GM) and Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) automotive diagnostic tools, electronic keys and fobs. Continue reading →

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Presidential Run Gets Uglier – Labor Ads “Romney a Traitor”

Posted on 25 October 2012 by Ken Zino

The United Auto Workers Union among other labor groups is applauding and promoting new advertisements that call presidential candidate Mitt Romney an economic traitor who desecrated teh American flag. The ads – both television and online were unveiled today by a front group called Workers’ Voice and Patriot Majority Continue reading →

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Stefan Jacoby Out at Volvo Car. Håkan Samuelsson new CEO

Posted on 19 October 2012 by Ken Zino

The Board of Directors of Volvo Car Group has appointed Håkan Samuelsson as its new President & CEO effective immediately, the Chinese owned company said today. Stefan Jacoby will leave Volvo Car Group and the board. Continue reading →

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Saab owner NEVS Opens Battery Plant in China

Posted on 17 October 2012 by Ken Zino

National Electric Vehicle Sweden is now making batteries in China for electric buses and cars through its wholly owned subsidiary State Power Group. The owner of the rights to the currently inactive Saab brand name says State Power Group (75%) owns the new entity, dubbed National Battery Technology, together with unnamed company management (25%). Continue reading →

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NHTSA Says Chinese Counterfeit Air Bags are a Safety Problem

Posted on 11 October 2012 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA – has published a consumer safety advisory to warn vehicle owners and repair shops about the dangers of counterfeit Chinese air bags. NHTSA said it has become “aware” of a problem involving the sale of counterfeit air bags for use as replacement parts in vehicles that have been involved in a crash. Continue reading →

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GM and SAIC Open the Largest Proving Grounds in China

Posted on 24 September 2012 by Ken Zino

General Motors and its Chinese communist government dictated partners – SAIC, Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center – have opened China’s largest proving grounds with 37 miles or 60 kilometers of test roads. The 5.67-square-kilometer (2.18 square miles) Guangde Proving Ground in Guangde County, Anhui, represents an investment of RMB 1.6 billion ($253 million). Shanghai GM and PATAC are managing the proving ground’s operation, which includes support facilities to test 67 different driving conditions

It is the latest transfer of white-collar professional salaried jobs from the U.S. taxpayer controlled company to the businesses operating in the world’s largest auto market, which is strictly regulated by the Chinese Central government in a successful jobs creation program that requires local partners and onshore investment as the price of doing business. Continue reading →

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Politics or Finally a Policy? Obama Administration Protests at WTO over Chinese Auto and Parts Subsidies. China Instantly Fights Back

Posted on 17 September 2012 by Ken Zino

The Obama Administration filed a complaint against the Communist Chinese government at the World Trade Organization today. Continue reading →

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Record Sales for Ford China in August at 48,631

Posted on 6 September 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford China posted its highest ever August sales, with 48,631 units sold, up 39% from last year. Year to date, Ford China has sold 368,513 vehicles, up 8% from January – August 2011. Market leader General Motors sold in 220,996 units in August and 1,837,546 year-to-date. Number Two Volkswagen Group has yet to report its August China sales. Continue reading →

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Lincoln to be Sold in China by Late 2014

Posted on 29 August 2012 by Ken Zino

The announcement means that Ford will have to pump a lot of money into the almost dead U.S. brand, which has virtually no global presence. In July, Lincoln sales dropped to just 7,000, off -11% year-over-year in a U.S. market that grew by 9%. Last year Lincoln sold 85,643 re-badged Fords, a flat performance in a market that’s up ~10% from 2010.Year-to-date Lincoln is at 50,000 vehicles, a 1.8% decline y-o-y in a total market up 14%, or 18% in the passenger car segment. Continue reading →

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Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Breaks Ground for Chongqing 3

Posted on 27 August 2012 by Ken Zino

The $600 million expansion will make Chongqing the largest Ford production site in the world by far – a latter day Rouge for communist customers. Chongqing 3 includes a new assembly line, body and paint shop. The first vehicle is expected to come off the flexible assembly line in late 2014. CFMA already operates two assembly plants and an engine plant in Chongqing, with another engine plant and a transmission plant currently under construction. Continue reading →

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GM China Begins Building and Testing Advanced Batteries

Posted on 20 August 2012 by Ken Zino

General Motors China is now making and testing prototype battery cells and complete systems at its Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai, potentially creating a huge offshore industry that will build more affordable batteries for customers globally. Continue reading →

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China Sales Satisfaction Down. Audi, Nissan, Hyundai Lead

Posted on 17 August 2012 by Ken Zino

There is a decline in customer satisfaction in China as experienced salespeople are in short supply as auto dealerships continue to expand. Coupled with the slow down in Chinese vehicle sales this year, there is a “notable deterioration” in overall sales satisfaction among new-vehicle owners in China. Continue reading →

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Ford China Sales up 32% in July to 43,000

Posted on 9 August 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford China sales in July totaled 42,560 up 32%. Most of the increase was due to the joint venture Changan Ford Mazda, which sold 26,306 Ford-brand cars, an increase of 44% from July of 2011. Sales of the old and new Focus dominated the results. Total Ford brand car sales including the imported Edge and Explorer were 27,498. Continue reading →

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JMC and Ford to Buy Taiyuan Changan Heavy Truck in China

Posted on 8 August 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is reentering the heavy truck market through its partner Jiangling Motors Corporation in China. JMC will buy Taiyuan Changan Heavy Truck Company, its first entry into the heavy truck business. JMC currently builds Ford Transits under license from Ford, and Ford owns 30% of the light commercial vehicle maker. Continue reading →

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