China auto sales hit 1.57 million in May 2012

A total of 1.57 million automobiles were manufactured in China last month, China Business News reported today. The figure, which comes from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, is 4.66 percent lower than April and 16.9 percent higher than last May.

Automobile sales, meanwhile, totaled 1.61 million units, decreasing 1.06 percent from April and growing 15.97 percent from last May.
May production and sales numbers for passenger automobiles were 1.27 million units and 1.28 million units, respectively.

The amount manufactured was 2.76 percent lower than the previous month, while the amount sold was 0.46 percent higher. Both figures represented positive year-on-year growth of slightly over 21 percent. 6.33 million passenger automobiles have been sold in the five month period from January to May.

Domestic own brand manufacturers sold 516,400 passenger automobiles in May. Their cumulative market share fell another 0.47 percent in April to 40.28 percent, a whole 3.28 percent less than last May. By comparison, German, Japanese, US, South Korean and French manufacturers sold 245,100, 238,800, 146,000, 100,400 and 35,200 vehicles. Their respective market shares were 19.12 percent, 18.63 percent, 11.39 percent, 7.83 percent and 2.75 percent.

US manufacturers' performance last month was particularly noteworthy, with their market share increasing a full 0.87 percent.
Furthermore, Chinese automobile exports broke the 100,000 unit barrier for the first time in May.

According to CAAM statistics, China exported a total of 103,400 vehicles last month, 18.2 percent more than the previous month and 43.4 percent more than last May. A total of 382,500 vehicles have been exported from January to May, with Algeria, Russia, Chile, Iraq and Iran being top buyers.

this report from gasgoo.com

Lotus acquisition by SAIC and Youngman denied

British sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars has been through a tumultuous time as of late. Only last week, CEO Dany Bahar was relieved of his position by new parent company DRB-Hicom, which appointed one of its executives, Aslam Farikullah, to take his place. At the same time, rumors began circulating of Chinese enterprises SAIC and Youngman Lotus preparing to purchase the manufacturer. However, in a report appearing on International Finance News today, Lotus officially denied such rumors.

"We have not received any such information," Lotus China's public relations office responded when asked about the rumors. The office added that the speculations are baseless. SAIC Group, Youngman Automobile and DRB-Hicom all have yet to officially comment on the matter.

Lotus has been in dire financial straits as of late. All sorts of rumors, including reports that the manufacturer is preparing to abandon its Formula One program, have been spreading throughout the media. Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton sold its 42.7 percent stake in Lotus to DBR-Hicom earlier this year. However, due to the manufacturer's poor sales, DRB-Hicom saw its stock price on Bursa Malaysia drop heavily.
This report from gasgoo.com

New Seat Toledo leaks on to web

The guys over at seatfansclub.com have leaked these pictures of the new 2012 model year Seat Toledo on to the internet.

New Briliance concept car caught before unveiling



Brilliance, the Chinese car maker with close links to BMW (the two operate a joint venture that produces 3- and 5-series models for the domestic Chinese market), is working on a new concept car.

Caught here for the first time the new five door hatchback/crossover has reportedly been styled by ex-Pininfarina designer Dimitri Vicedomin who now heads up design operations at Brilliance. Hands up those who see cues from the Lancia Delta, Alfa Romeo Giulietta,Alfa Romeo Brera and Alfa Romeo Kamal concept in the new Chinese car's lines . . .

We figure the new Brilliance concept is a planned replacement for the Splendor/FRV/FSV line. But with a firm tongue in cheek we're already calling it the Alfa Romeo Delta here at TheAutoInsider.com 


Facelifted 2013 model year Kia Sorento without disguise



As the saying goes, you can run but you can't hide. Here's Kia's facelifted Sorento lurking in China. Seen here for the first time without diguise is the big Korean SUV's reworked front and rear end styling, including its new head- and tail lamp treatment.  



Hongqi 77X gets an internet airing

Hongqi, an upmarket brand of China's First Automobile Works, is set to launch a third model - the 77X. Revealed here for the first time, it is planned to slot into the Hongqi line-up between the 77H and 77L. Details remain scarce but whispers out of FAW suggest the 77X is based on underpinnings provided by the Volkswagen Group; most likely those of the superceded Audi A6.

Volvo XC40 hits the internet


This long range picture of Volvo's upcoming XC40 has made its way onto various internet sites over the weekend. Expect to see the toughened up V40, complete with raised ride height and four wheel drive, in all its production glory at the Paris auto show in September.

Rumour mill: Lancia Fulvia on the way back?

News that Alfa Romeo parent company Fiat has done a deal with Mazda that will finally see a return of the iconic Spider based on the same rear wheel drive underpinnings as the fourth-generation MX-5 (or Miata as it is known in certain parts of the world) has led to whispers of a possible return of sister company Lancia's equally legendary Fulvia as well. 

Fiat won't officially be drawn on the rumours out of its Turin headquarters over the weekend, but insiders close to the Italian car maker's boss Sergio Marchionne say there is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the Fiat/Mazda co-operation, with one suggesting that the MX-5 platform would provide the perfect basis for a production version of the well received Lancia Fulvia concept first shown at the Frankfurt motor show back in 2003.

"The Fiat deal with Mazda opens up all sort of possibilities, and not only for the return of the Alfa Romeo Spider. We are looking at other aspects that may provide increased economies of scale, not only on a component sharing level but also in the area of production. Whether Lancia and a possible resurrection of the Fulvia is included in that is something I can not comment on at this time," a long time Fiat employee told TheAutoInsider.


Our take: Lancia's at a low ebb, but this is just what it needs to set it back on track. Imgaine: a 300bhp turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder Multi Air engined powered Lancia Fulvia HF, complete with the superb retro design touches of the 2003 concept car, the sort of rear wheel drive handling traits that makes the Mazda MX-5 such a delight to drive and a six-speed double clutch gearbox to boot.


     

What if? Mini Zero Concept

They're not officially sanctioned sketches, but this is what former BMW Design Works designer, Sonny Lin, reckons a future entry level Mini model could look like.

Updating the retro look of today's hardtop with a more contemporary design that retains all the traditional elements that made the original such a hit for over 40 years, the Mini Zero, as Lin has christianed his creation, is described as being longer than the official Rocketman concept but shorter than today's Cooper hardtop.

Our take: Just what Mini needs to fend off advances from cheap European hatchbacks like the Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo and 108. Go with it Munich . . . 


Like this: Mercedes-Benz 220 SE touring car


Who said the Germans don't understand fun? The guys and gals from Mercedes-Benz's Classic division clearly do, as evidenced by this: a 220 SE from 1964 that has been constructed to contest classic car events. Looks like it'd be a handful, but we'd be willing to give it a go. Look for the 220 SE racer at this year's Goodwood Festival Of Speed beginning 28 June and running thu 1 July.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe

BMW's design team has co-operated with famed Italian design house Zagato on a new aluminium bodied coupe version of the second-generation Z4. Revealed at the Concourse Villa d'Este held on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, the new car is described as a one-off but behind the scenes Zagato is pushing to pursuade BMW to allow it to place the so-called Z4 Zagato coupe into low volume assembly. As it is based on standard Z4sDrive35iS underpinnings, it would be a relatively straightforward exercise. Even so, our sources suggest the new car would likely cost up to double that of its roadster sibling. BMW is apparently talking with Zagato about lending help with body construction, with insiders suggesting it could end up being clothed in carbon fibre panels rather than the aluminium panels of the car seen here. Power comes from a reworked version of BMW's turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder N55 engine with a claimed 400bhp - up by 60bhp on the standard Z4sDriveiS roadster.


Lamborghini Urus pictures leak to the internet


Sant'Agata, Italy: Well, this isn't going to please Lamborghini boss, Stephan Winkelmann, at all. Once again that notorious Czech website autoforum.cz has leaked pictures onto the internet, this time of the Lamborghini Urus which was supposed to be unveiled to the public on Monday 23 April. So the suspense is gone. This is the same mob that leaked pictures of the Audi A3 early. Looks mean, sort of a cross between a Lamborghini Aventador and BMW X6. Nice! More details as they come to hand . . .



BYD reveals new Qin hybrid

Shenzhen, China: BYD has revealed its produciton car star for the upcoming Beijing motor show: the Qin. The Chevrolet Volt rivalling sedan can operate in either full electric or petrol-electric hybrid modes. The successor to the F3DM, the Qin uses BYD's latest lithium-ion battery technology, with the company's so-called LiFePo4 technology. Before it got into the car making business, BYD rose to prominence as the supplier of batteries to Nokia and other mobile phone manufacturers. BYD is expected to use the Qin to push into established world car markets, including North America.

Key facts
BYD Qin
Engine:Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline with electric assist
Gasoline engine power : n/a
Electric engine power: n/a
0-62mph (100km/h):  6.9sec
Top speed: 115mph (185km/h)
Battery: Lithium ion
Battery capacity: 10kWh
Electric range: 31 miles (50km)

BMW M135i to get four-wheel drive option

Munich, Germany: The boss of BMW's M division skunk works, Friedrich Nitschke, has confirmed media reports suggesting the company's upcoming M135i will be sold with a four wheel drive option in selected markets. The Subaru Impreza WRX STi chasing hyper hatch, which will come with standard rear-wheel drive when it goes on sale later this year, is powered by BMW's N55 engine - a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder gasoline unit that is said to pump out around 330bhp and 332lb ft of torque. Bring it on Friedrich . . . bring it on . . .

Toyota bringing new concept car to Beijing

                                                                    
Nagoya, Japan: Toyota has issued a picture of a new concept car it plans to unveil at the Beijing motor show next week. The Japanese car maker hasn't provided any firm details but going on the blue tinge of light around the concept's badge and within its headlamps, the pictures suggest it will be a hybrid or electric vehicle of some kind.