Short Torque

China carmakers gain Ecuador market share

The market share of Chinese-made automobiles in Ecuador has increased rapidly over the past three years, currently ranking third in sales volume, according to data recently released by Ecuador's Association of Automotive Companies. In 2018, Chinese autos garnered 13.5 percent of the market, ranking behind Ecuadorian-made autos and South Korean brands. The figure was a significant increase compared with a market share of merely 5.2 percent in 2016, with sales of 3,311 vehicles.

Great Wall to build new Taizhou plant

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor signed an agreement on Wednesday with the government of Taizhou, in East China's Jiangsu province, to set up a new automotive manufacturing base. With an initial investment of 8 billion yuan ($1.19 billion), the automobile project, located in Gaogang district, includes the production of vehicles, mainly SUVs, as well as key parts and components including interiors and chassis. The company said it would also develop auto finance, auto insurance and other car-related businesses in the city. Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Motor, said construction of the project will start soon, without giving a detailed timetable. Upon completion of the project, Taizhou will become Great Wall Motor's eighth production base nationwide.

Ford to shut down factory in Brazil

The automobile giant Ford announced on Tuesday that it will close a factory in Brazil and reduce its operations in South America in a bid to turn around its business in the region. The factory to be closed is located in Sao Bernardo do Campo, an automotive industry base in the state of Sao Paulo. Ford said it aims to regain sustainable profitability in its South American operations. The company plans to stop selling four truck and car models that are produced in the Sao Bernardo factory: hatch Fiesta, pickup truck F-350, and trucks F-4000 and Cargo. It did not specify how many workers will be impacted by the closure, but the Sao Bernardo do Campo plant has 3,000 workers.

Danish firm partners with Always startup

Chinese EV startup Always announced a strategic technology cooperation deal on Monday with Blue World Technologies, a Denmark-based methanol fuel cell system developer. Both parties will team up on the high-temperature methanol fuel cell and jointly explore the range-extended electric vehicle technologies and applications of clean energy. According to the automaker, the RG Nathalie fuel cell supercar, adopting a methanol fuel cell pack, achieves a range up to 1,000 kilometers at a constant speed and is set to be handed over this year.

Renault may reduce S. Korea operations

French carmaker Renault is considering reducing production in South Korea over ongoing labor strikes, a fresh blow to the country as an auto export hub following a General Motors plant shutdown announced last year. South Korean unit Renault Samsung Motors faces the prospect of losing a contract that accounted for half of its production last year. Renault executive Jose-Vicente de los Mozos Obispo said in a video message early this month that if unionized workers at Renault Samsung continue to strike, it will become difficult to discuss the allocation of follow-up production volume. This was a reference to output of the Rogue sport utility vehicle for Japanese alliance partner Nissan Motor.

Motoring - agencies

(China Daily 02/25/2019 page19)