Short Torque

Top auto awards are handed out

The annual Xuanyuan Award, organized by the Automotive Business Review magazine and the EFS consultancy, was presented in Beijing on Saturday. The Roewe Marvel X SUV from SAIC Motor Corp was the overall winner of the award, after beating 35 rivals after examination and testing by a jury of 55 experts from around the world. Several other prizes were handed out as well, going to Geely's Lynk& Co 03, Nio's ES8, the DEV1 from Sitech, Jaguar's E-Pace and the Aeolus AX7 from Dongfeng Motor.

Hyundai shakes up its executive ranks

South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group shook up its executive ranks last week, appointing its first foreign head of research and development, raising expectations for a smooth transition of power at the family-run business empire. Albert Biermann, a former BMW executive, was named head of research and development, replacing longtime executives Yang Woong-chul and Kwon Moon-sik. The reshuffle is the latest since the automaker promoted Chung Eui-sun to executive vice chairman, moving him closer to succeeding his father as head of South Korea's second-biggest group.

Ford says adieu to French plant

Ford Motor Co will end production at its Blanquefort plant in France by late August 2019, after rejecting a rescue deal for the factory, according to Reuters. The French government had this autumn expressed optimism that the plant in southwest France and its 850 employees would be saved, but Ford told the plant's works council that it had rejected the bid made by transmission supplier Punch Powerglide. The likely job losses will be a blow for President Emmanuel Macron, coming at a time of public rebellion over his reforms to liberalize the economy.

Trump pooh-poohs GM restructure plan

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said General Motors Co's decision to shift much of its focus to electric vehicles will not succeed, and he asserted a new trade deal will make it harder for the company to move work to other countries. GM last year said it planned to launch 20 new electric vehicles by 2023 as it faces rising regulatory requirements for zero-emission vehicles in China and elsewhere. The largest US automaker has come under enormous criticism in Washington after it announced in November plans to close plants and cut up to 15,000 jobs in North America.

Malaysia's Proton launches first SUV

Malaysian car maker Proton launched its first SUV on Wednesday in a fresh effort to transform its stale brand and turn around its fortunes, more than a year after China's Geely Holding Group Co bought a key stake in the company. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad launched the 1.8 liter-engine X70 and expressed hopes for Proton's recovery. The X70 is based on Geely's Boyue vehicle, which is one of China's best-selling SUVs. Proton, founded in 1983 as part of Malaysia's industrialization push, was once king of the country's roads but its sales suffered because of growing competition and a reputation for poor quality and bland models.

Motoring - Agencies

(China Daily 12/17/2018 page19)