A strange variety of China’s auto market
A strange variety of China’s auto market
Recently, the Shanghai Volvo owners reported the emergence of a new Polestar brand, which will specialize in the production of electric cars. Modern China’s automobile market now resembles the American of the late twentieth century. Because the number of automotive brands, and is growing steadily. This is due to the inexhaustible consumer potential of China.
In the early 90-ies this trend was observed in America, where one car brand has evolved into several similar prototypes, but without significant changes in design, configuration, and design. Only these cars do not stay long in the North American market. Now in China there is the same tendency.
According to information provided by the Chinese analytical Agency, the number of car manufacturers in the country, is 103 units. This can be noticed by every foreign tourist, caught in Shanghai almost all the streets signs, which depicts logos of the companies with their location.
The average age of Chinese cars is 5-6 years, so they all look new, as if just left the showroom. Most of them — electric cars with unusual design, which sometimes bordered on the absurd. Their appearance is reminiscent of universal cars with advertising brochures or a flying drone, funny robots from the modern computer games.
Such a variety of weird cars sometimes leads to a deadlock. On the same street Shanghai can stand for several similar cars, but each of them flaunt a completely different emblem: a horse head, two dolphins, starfish and the like combinations.
Strange Chinese counterparts or unknown brands
Long ago appeared on the American roads “Black Cab” recently produced in China, mostly in pink colors. The oldest car brand in Shanghai is considered to be Volkswagen Santanas for the Volkswagen Passat the second generation 1981-1988 years.
These models in China, was launched in mass production since 1985 and was produced until the 2012-2013 year. Mostly Volkswagen Santanas bought the taxi drivers, to carry tourists, because they are practical and roomy.
In addition to this transport, the Chinese are actively using electric scooters and bicycles. Some models of two-wheeled transport look modern and elegant. This can be compared with developments from Apple, but at the level of around 2003.
The Chinese introduced their own car brand called Wuling. This small red car, resembling a van with a stylized logo in the shape of a bird “W” is part of the Alliance of SAIC-GM-Wuling. His production was a leading Chinese automaker SAIC and GM. It should be noted that the model is unique and unlike any other model in this segment.
The unexpected transformation touched Guangqi Honda, which in the Chinese version is referred to as a JDM Honda Odyssey. Except the names are changed, the car received a more advanced design, was much more interesting and practical. So, the old van transformed into a stylish fashion wagon, which is commendable.
In China there are at least two joint ventures with Volkswagen, but the VW is not leading the country. For example, such a model as a Lavida can be found in two or three variants. All models are made on the same platform as the Mk4 Golf / Jetta.
Another no less popular in the Chinese automotive market, the brand is Buick. The most popular analog model a Buick Chevy Cruze. The car made on the same platform, but was called the Buick Excelle.
Brutal and courageous drivers like “Chinese” Iveco 4×4 that looks like an armored car.
Modern Chery eQ electric car is a stylish budget option, which is in great demand among the Chinese. Its compact dimensions, agile handling and an impressive power reserve, which reaches almost 200 km, will cost about 9600$. If you compare the technical characteristics of the car with a similar model of the Nissan Leaf, the Chery eQ is not inferior to a competitor and costs half the price.
The Chinese pay much attention to production vans, which the streets do a lot. The most popular brand is Jeez, and Jinbei. The last brand front sign resembles glass, or the United shield and sword. Also worth noting van Foton, which is part of the BAIC group. He looks very similar to the Toyota Hi-Ace.
The collaboration of car manufacturers like Scion xB and Toyota bB came out perfect, with smooth radii and transitions of the car Great Wall Coolbear. Here, special attention deserves the front of the trunk with 4 lights. The only thing that confuses is the logo in the form of “Starfleet” from the eponymous computer game.
Soueast Delica is another clone in the segment of vans. It is similar to classmates in appearance and dimensions, but it bears the logo in the shape of a bird. It is the brainchild of the entire Alliance of automobile manufacturers, which includes: Soueast Motor Co., China Motor Corporation, Fujian Motor Industry Group and Mitsubishi old pas. Differs from other models of the van only the green color.
The Parking area for bicycles and scooters can be seen a kind of rickshaw, tuk tuk or minibus with a chest behind. This is perfect for small businesses or other commercial purposes, but stickers with the image of Spiderman on this vehicle look weird.
If you do not go into the classes and types of platforms, it may seem that the minivan Buick GL8 is a real competitor to such monsters as the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica. But this is only a good marketing move, harmonious stylistic decision and nothing more.
The opposite situation is observed in BYD — here, technical equipment is at a high level, but the design leaves much to be desired. Why are only his lights that resemble lanterns from horror movies or scary picture of the tattoo and piercing parlor.
Well the Chinese have learned to copy the model of the French brand Peugeot, which has a funny logo. Also interesting to look reformatted model Buicks, similar to European counterparts, developed in the beginning of zero years. No. 1 brand in China is Great Wall, if you make an informal rating of the class SUV. A beautiful and agile model Haval flagship sales in the Chinese automobile market.
Popular brand of Rover, well there in China today under the new name of Roewe. This stylish, powerful car, assembled on the platform of the Rover 75 with the engine from the Rover K-series, is considered a luxury and expensive.
Do not forget the Chinese and about the brand Citroën — local engineers upgraded it into a van or bus series LDV V80. It is part of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.In this model, the emblem is decorated with three chevrons.
Another good copy of the Citroen C1 is found on Chinese roads is a BYD Yuan. The Chinese was good a modern SUV with fashionable stylistic decisions, such as a broken D-shaped front and hinged roof.
Never ceases to amaze with its design performance electric cars according to the type of rom-com. Of course, they are inexpensive, available for many Chinese, but apparently the cars resemble some kind of alien creature from 2145 years. Another sad model is Santana, but it is ideal for taxi drivers. Old classic car has been slightly modified Chinese style. He became an outstanding representative of the industry consumer low build quality and poor technical equipment.
For connoisseurs of refinement and reliability, fans of the brand and the Mitsubishi Lancer of the fifth generation of the Chinese made its prototype – Soueast Lioncel. Analogous to Lincoln with a chrome grille was the van, Jinbei.
In General most of the cars in Shanghai are very dark tinted Windows. It is not clear what purpose their manufacturer is so obscure — after all, it has a significant impact on safety, which is unacceptable in heavy traffic.
China managed to beat the Europeans and Americans, running in the production of a new generation of the Buick GL8 minivan.
But the imitation of Volkswagen Lavida absolutely failed Chinese automakers. It is a complete failure of copying a famous brand of Volkswagen. But Shanghai police went to the more environmentally friendly electric cars, than their colleagues from America.
The only decent analogue model “people’s car” made by the Chinese is a Golf sedan. Looks great and hard at the same time tidy van Toyota Alphard. Huge massive grille on the front bumper of the car will not leave indifferent any connoisseur of the works of the Toyota brand.
Chinese manufacturers of bunk buses made a great marketing move, creating a mobile boutique. To deliver food from the restaurant created the best option – branded Citroën van. On the Shanghai roads often run the trucks which adorn the logo with two dolphins, they are manufactured by Dongfeng Motor Corporation.
Amazingly, on the roads of China there is a large number of stylish, modern SUVs luxury apartments. One of them — Haima S5, which is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 1.6-liter engine.
In China for scooters and electric cars equipped with special charging stations with coin-operated control. Their are so many that they don’t need to search or stand in queues to recharge the battery.
Ordinary Chinese, who can not afford even the budget cars are in such a unique transport DIY, is produced in local factories. Externally, the car resembles an ancient cart, equipped with an engine from a washing machine. To this Assembly was added to the pedal drive, which you can use to turn the rear wheels if the engine fails or there is no money to refuel.
In the same design, you can find the ancient terrifying in their appearance massive scooters or tricycles. Save them a bit different stickers and lights. Another shocking mode of transport in China is an intermediate link of evolution scooter in little micro-car.
The MG brand the Chinese are so modified that distant from automotive topics people will never recognize this model. To recognize it only on the MG logo.
A good idea for Chinese manufacturers was creating a copy of the Dodge Journey, next to which are photographed even by the locals.
China is really the only place where you can find the elongated version of the Porsche Panamera and Audi A6L. This is done to increase the level of comfort passengers in the back seat, so they had enough legroom.
Icon in the form of a Fox patented one of the biggest Chinese automobile manufacturers horizon. Their universal Chang’an Raeton and SUVs are often flashed on the streets of China.
Competition they are the JAC S2, neat little SUV CVT. Many models are equipped with lights blue.
In the end of exciting tour of the strange creations of the Chinese automobile industry should pay attention to the pearl-pink of the McLaren 12C. Stylish, elegant sports car is the clear leader among premium cars in the PRC.
Some models of cars that were seen on the streets of Chinese cities:
Author: S. Vasilenko