Tag Archives: china

BYD Electric Cab Fire and Three Fatalities not Battery’s Fault

Posted on 7 August 2012 by Ken Zino

An investigation by the Shenzhen government into an accident and fire between a BYD EV and a Nissan sports car that killed three people in May concludes that the battery pack was not at fault, according to a BYD filing with the Shenzhen stock exchange.

A Nissan GT-R traveling at 242km/h – 150 mph – hit a BYD e6 taxi traveling in the same direction at 81km/h. The first impact sent the cab careening out of control, which then resulted in a second impact into a roadside tree, whereupon the e6 completely burned. The cab driver and two passengers perished. Continue reading →

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Japanese Makes Take Top Three Spots in China Customer Satisfaction

Posted on 6 August 2012 by Ken Zino

The Japanese, led by Guangqi Honda, took the top three ratings in the 2012 China Customer Service Index. Honda – and its government-mandated local partner – was followed by Dongfeng Honda Automobile and GAC Toyota. Dongfeng took five out of the first ten spots in the latest quality survey. Continue reading →

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Dongfeng Honda Opens Second Plant in Wuhan China

Posted on 11 July 2012 by Ken Zino

During 2011 Honda sold 618,000 cars in China last year, dwarfed by market leader General Motor’s 2.55 million and Volkswagen Group’s 2.26 million. Among the Japanese Big Three, Nissan in China is twice as big as Honda and Toyota is 40% larger in terms of vehicle sales. Continue reading →

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Consideration of European Cars Up in China. Japanese Down

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The percentage of customers in China who intend to purchase a new European vehicle has increased notably to 35% in 2012 from 25 percent in 2009, in a new study just released. In contrast, the so-called consideration rate of Japanese models decreased to 24% in 2012 from 32% in 2009. Continue reading →

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Pratt & Whitney of United Technologies Guilty of Criminal Charges for Helping China Develop a Military Attack Helicopter

Posted on 28 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a Canadian subsidiary of the Connecticut-based defense contractor United Technologies Corporation, today pled guilty to violating the Arms Export Control Act and making false statements in connection with its illegal export to China of U.S.-origin military software used in the development of China’s first modern military attack helicopter, the Z-10. Continue reading →

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U.S. Wins WTO Dispute with China Over Steel Duties

Posted on 22 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The United States has prevailed in a World Trade Organization or WTO dispute over China’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on flat-rolled electrical steel from the United States. The duties affected a substantial amount of United States trade in U.S. steel products. After talks with the Chinese failed to resolve the matter, the WTO established the panel in March 2011. Continue reading →

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China Auto Sales Up 16% in May but Down from April

Posted on 18 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said that automobile sales were 1,607,200 units in May, a decrease -1% compared with April, but an increase 16% compared with the same period of last year. Continue reading →

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Some Saab Assets Sold to a New Electric Vehicle Company

Posted on 13 June 2012 by Ken Zino

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS), a new firm established to purchase bankrupt Saab, and the receivers of Saab today signed a purchase agreement that covers some of the assets of Saab Automobile AB, Saab Automobile Powertrain AB and Saab Automobile Tools AB. The selling price was not disclosed. The company will establish a new automobile venture in Trollhättan, dedicated to the development and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs). The intellectual property rights for the aging 9-3, introduced in 1992, were part of a deal that includes all outstanding shares in the company that owns the Saab Automobile facilities in Trollhättan, Sweden. Continue reading →

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GM May China Sales Set Record. Ford China Sales Also Up

Posted on 7 June 2012 by Ken Zino

General Motors and its joint ventures sold a May record 231,183 vehicles in China. Demand was up for the market leader 21.3% from the same month in 2011 and 1.7% from April of this year. At Ford China, increased sales of passenger cars offset a slump in light commercial vehicles during May, which led to an 8% increase year-over-year at 48,608, vehicles. Volkswagen Group the number two seller in China by far has not reported May sales yet. Continue reading →

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Now it’s Football, Bangers, Mince Pie and Chevrolet

Posted on 31 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet is entering into a five-year deal with Barclays Premier League member Manchester United to become the club’s Official Automotive Partner. Chevrolet’s five-year agreement includes the creation of the Chevrolet China Cup in July, with matches against Shanghai Shenhua FC and team in “another” Chinese city, which will be announced later. This is Chevrolet’s first global football sponsorship in the brand’s 101-year history. Continue reading →

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BMW Group and Brilliance Open Second Plant in China

Posted on 24 May 2012 by Ken Zino

BMW has been producing BMW 3 Series and 5 Series models for the Chinese market with Brilliance in Shenyang since 2003. The opening of the second vehicle plant in China will expand the range of locally produced models to include the BMW X1. Production of the long-wheelbase version of the BMW 3 Series will also begin during the coming weeks. Continue reading →

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Volvo signs MoU with China Development Bank. Plant Next?

Posted on 24 April 2012 by Ken Zino

In 2011, Volvo sold 449,000 vehicles globally, not enough to finance internally new platforms and or plants, both of which it needs to survive in the global auto business. Continue reading →

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Cadillac ELR Coupe Coming Using Chevrolet Volt Technology

Posted on 24 April 2012 by Ken Zino

General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson announced plans today the new Cadillac ELR luxury electric coupe to China. The announcement of the first extended range electric vehicle from Cadillac in China shows just how significant the world’s largest auto market has become to all automakers. The question now is where the ELR will debut first – the U.S. where it was developed and Cadillac’s home market or China? Continue reading →

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Cadillac to Build New XTS in China at Shanghai GM

Posted on 24 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Cadillac will build the new XTS luxury sedan in China in conjunction with its mandated joint-venture partner Shanghai General Motors (SGM) starting this fall. Cadillac sold a record 30,000 vehicles in China in 2011, compared with 17,000 in 2010 even … Continue reading →

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Guangqi Honda to Build a Third Automobile Production Line

Posted on 23 April 2012 by Ken Zino

During 2011 Honda sold 618,000 cars in China last year, dwarfed by market leader General Motor’s 2.55 million and Volkswagen Group’s 2.26 million. Among the Japanese Big Three, Nissan in China is twice as big as Honda and Toyota is 40% larger in terms of vehicle sales. Continue reading →

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