It appears that the heady days of massive profits for carmakers in China may be over as a slew of international car companies slash prices ahead of a looming slowdown in the domestic economy, a move that will inevitably dent the industry’s rich profit margins in that territory.
In 2012, Great Wall Motor incited the SUV fever in China with its Haval models priced at about RMB80,000 (US$13,400). Brand reputation and quality aside, I should think that the price point would cause a ‘high fever’ in countries where car prices are high as well. GWM has been the sales champion for SUVs ever since.
It’s rare to come across a concept car that is both fully functional and road legal. So this 1964 Pontiac Banshee XP-833 concept car is a real treat. It was created at a time when automakers were toying with two-seater sports cars, and when General Motors needed one to compete with cars like the Ford Mustang.
TATA Motors could finally be peeling off the undesired label of “cheapest car” from the Nano with the first major overhaul of the micro car since it was launched in 2009. The GenX Nano was revealed on Facebook three weeks ago, creating much speculation since, but all will be revealed at the official launch tomorrow in Mumbai.
Automologist LILY takes us through the highs and lows of domestic car brands in China, what was and what is to come.
This makes it the first time in the country, or in the world for that matter, that a commercial driverless vehicle can be legally driven on public roads.