Cars
Automakers showcase new models at Beijing show
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-22 15:43
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Geely Holding Group, a 13-year-old brand barely known abroad before it agreed in March to buy Sweden's Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Co for $1.8 billion, is showing 55 of its own models, including 11 new vehicles.
Geely says it hopes to boost sales this year by 22 percent over 2009 to 400,000 units.
"We will highlight our technical edges in driving safe, green performance as well as energy efficiency," the company said in a statement.
Other Chinese producers plan to unveil a total of 64 new models, according to organizers.
They include Chery Automobile Co, China's biggest domestic auto brand, and BYD Co, with backing from American investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, which owns a 9.9 percent stake.
Chery plans to show 29 vehicles and is bringing in 200 sales agents from foreign markets to see its latest models, said Jin Yibo, a spokesman for the automaker. Chery exports to some 70 developing countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
"We basically want to show our progress over the years including technical innovation," Jin said. "We also are moving up to high-end brand image."
Chery's sales target for this year is 700,000 vehicles, with exports doubling to 100,000, according to Jin.
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Beijing sees alternative vehicles as the auto industry's future and is pushing its own manufacturers to develop technology, though industry analysts say China's market is likely to be dominated by gasoline engines for the foreseeable future.
BYD plans to show the e6, an all-electric five-seater the company wants to sell in North America this year. Plans call for doubling BYD's total sales this year to 800,000 vehicles and expanding to Europe in 2011.
BYD says the e6 has a top speed of 87 mph (140 kph) and can travel up to 205 miles (330 miles) on a single charge.
"Our theme at the show will remain focused on green, environmentally friendly and renewable energy," said a BYD spokesman, Paul Lin.
