Short Torque

SAIC introduces 'smart' G50 MPV

SAIC Maxus launched its G50 MPV on Thursday in Shanghai. Measuring 4,825 mm in length, 1,825 mm in width and 1,778 mm in height, the model comes with five to seven seats in two or three rows. It has two engine options. The 1.3-liter turbocharged engine produces a maximum output of 120 kW and a top torque of 203 Nm, while the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine 124 kW and 205 Nm. The MPV also features a smart system co-developed by SAIC Motor and Alibaba, offering voice recognition and OTA. The model is priced between 86,800 yuan ($12,978) and 156,800 yuan ($23,444).

Peugeot hits road again in Americas

French carmaker Peugeot plans to reintroduce its vehicles in North American markets. PSA Group, which also makes Citroen, did not say when it expects the 200-year-old Peugeot brand to make it to American and Canadian showroom floors. The company said Tuesday that the return of the Peugeot is part of a 10-year plan, announced in 2016, which includes a car sharing service of more than 500 vehicles introduced in Washington, DC, last year. The market expansion continues a remarkable turnaround for PSA, which had to be bailed out in 2014. In 2017, PSA bought General Motors' Opel and Vauxhall brands for $2.33 billion, making it Europe's No. 2 automaker after Volkswagen.

UK auto output down 18 percent

British new car production nosedived 18.2 percent in January, the eighth successive month of annual declines, due to model changes and weaker demand both in Britain and major export markets, an automotive industry body said on Thursday. Output dropped to 120,649 vehicles last month, hit by a 21.4 percent fall in exports, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said. Britain's once-soaring car industry is now recording falling sales, investment and production, with Honda delivering the most serious blow earlier this month, announcing the closure of its British factory, which builds more than 10 percent of the country's 1.5 million cars.

Volkswagen, Microsoft deepen tech ties

Volkswagen said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal with Microsoft to cooperate on cloud computing in China and the United States, as part of its drive to offer connected vehicle services across the globe. By allowing vehicles to tap Microsoft's remote computer processors via the so-called cloud, Volkswagen can offer its customers personalized on-board media streaming, and make suggestions for parking and charging. Volkswagen will use its Automotive Cloud as the core of its vehicle and service data operations for its new ID electric cars, which are due to hit showrooms in 2020, the carmaker said.

Motoring - Agencies

(China Daily 03/04/2019 page18)