Facelifted Buick LaCrosse caught in China

Back in September, General Motors promised nine new or refreshed models for its Buick and GMC brands within 12 months, and while we've already seen what the updated 2014 GMC Sierra will look like, we're now getting our first look at what appears to be the facelifted 2014 Buick LaCrosse. Judging by a set of spy shots posted on Autohome showing a Chinese-market model, the updated sedan is getting a pretty big makeover, including a completely redesigned interior and a refreshed exterior.

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Auto Sales in China Exceed 1.6 Million in May

The total number of cars made in China in the month of May was 1.57 million, while total sales accounted for 1.61 million units. This latest production figure marks a 4.66% decrease as of April, but it’s 16.9% higher than that of May 2011.

Sales have followed roughly the same pattern, decreasing by 1.06% in May, when compared to April, but growing by 15.97% from last May. Of the total figures, passenger cars accounted for 1.27 million of total vehicles produced, with sales having a surprisingly close number, recording 1.28 million cars sold in May - the Yin-Yang principle of balance seems to be working on the Chinese auto market, as these figures clearly show a relatively mature market without too many fluctuations and uncertainties (that’s why everybody wants a piece).

A landmark that was achieved in May, was the breaking of the 100,000 mark when it comes to exports, with 103,400 vehicles, 18.2% more than in April and a whopping 43.4% increase as of May last year. China’s main export markets are Algeria, Russia, Chile, Iraq and Iran.

  Via autonews.gasgoo.com

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Rolls Royce Appoints New Director for China

Rolls-Royce today announced that it has appointed Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer as Director for Mainland China, with the move set to become effective from July 1st 2012. Wilhelmsmeyer has held multiple senior position within the BMW Group for a number of years, having worked in China during the last six years.

He is currently Head of the China South Region for BMW and was previously Head of Dealer Development. Paul Harris will keep his Regional Director for the Asia Pacific Region role, covering all Asia Pacific markets, excluding Mainland China.

“I am delighted to announce this important new role for Rolls-Royce,” said Jolyon Nash, Director, Sales and Marketing. “China has become one of our most important markets globally and Henrik, with his broad experience and strong track record, is ideally suited to further develop our strong position in this region.  I want to thank Jenny Zheng for her contribution over the past seven years.”

Last year, China led Rolls Royce’s sales for the first time in the history of the automaker, beating the US by a slim margin.

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Saab to hire 200 engineers, might build gas cars with Mahindra

The brand formerly known as Saab is still intent on teaching The Little Engine That Could a few ticks about persistence. We say "formerly known" because it turns out that National Electric Vehicle Swedent (NEVS), the Sino-Japanese investment consortium that just bought the majority of Saab's assets, minus Saab Automobile Parts AB, may not actually own the rights to the Saab brand name. According to a report in Di.se via Saabs United, NEVS will need to negotiate with Scania and the Swedish aerospace and defense group, Saab AB, for the right to name its forthcoming electric car the Saab 9-3.

NEVS is hiring 200 engineers now to work on its electric car program, and reports are that it will hire more as it gets closer to the 2014 launch. It will be based on the current (read: ancient) 9-3, and we hope NEVS is succeeds in getting the naming rights, because the NEVS 9-3 just doesn't have the same ring. NEVS will likely target China as the model's main market.

However, it's rumors of their second negotiating ploy that we're really rooting for: to work with Mahinda & Mahindra, the Indian company once in the running for Saab's assets, develop a petrol-powered 9-3 on the next-generation Phoenix platform, based on Jason Castriota's design.

NEVS is also said to be planning new models "based on Japanese technology," yet with just under $1 billion U.S. committed to the electric program, the Di.se report says NEVS wants to have other products to generate revenue. A conventionally powered gasoline-engined car could be the answer. There only connection between Saab AB and Mahindra appears to be that India is one of Saab's largest markets and Mahindra is Indian. Separately, Mahindra could develop the car and provide small, "low carbon output" engines. It's tenuous, which characterizes just about everything that happens with Saab these days, but perhaps NEVS sees it as enough of a lure for everyone involved to make it worth the attempt.

The amount of speculation here makes the chances of a Phoenix-based 9-3 too thin to even call slim, but we won't bet against it, if only because one was quite far along in development under the company's previous owners. And besides, we'd really like to see it happen. 

via: In Auto News, Saabs United

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Saab Reborn as EV Maker?

Having followed the Saab story closely from the very beginning, we are finally relieved that the ailing Swedish carmaker has been purchased and is set to restart actual car production at some point in the (hopefully near) future.

Their buyers, NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden) will undoubtedly try to start production of ‘something’ as soon as possible. However, what will roll off the production line in Trollhättan may not be what you were expecting. Reports indicate that Saab will now make EVs which, at first, will be made for the Chinese market, with the first car reportedly being a 9-3-based EV.

Sadly, though, the excellent 9-5 will apparently not be making it back into production as GM is unwilling to give permission to the new owners to start making it - what a shame! However, we hope that the 9-5 too will be reborn as a “premium electric vehicle” made in Europe, for the European market.

Following the 9-3-based model, the next EV to be launched will be a Phoenix platform-based vehicle. You may remember the PhoeniX concept revealed by Saab at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show - it also previewed a new platform bearing the same name. It was originally intended to underpin a ‘new breed’ of Saabs, following the acquisition by Spyker, but will now be used in an upcoming EV.

Regardless of the new owners’ nationality, they must not forget (or ignore and neglect) the fact that Saab is a deeply European and Scandinavian company, deeply proud of its roots and heritage, which needs to be treaded as such in order to obtain true success and cult status in years to come, bringing Saab to the forefront of the automotive industry, albeit as an EV maker.

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Hyundai China to Recall 100,000 Cars

It seems that Cadillac isn’t the only manufacturer to have airbag problems. Apparently, in China, Hyundai’s Chinese partner will be pulling almost 100,000 cars off the road, due to safety concerns over airbags.

The vehicle being recalled is the Elantra Yuedong, produced from March 16th 2008 through to January 25th 2010. According to the manufacturer, the main concern is that the airbags in those cars may deploy while the car is parked, or moving at slow speeds – with someone inside, presumably. Hyundai have not specified which airbags deployed - this would have been useful, as we already know that the Cadillac CTS-V deployed its curtain airbags at inappropriate moments.

The cars will get a software update which fix the glitch. Also, the recall was prompted by complaints from owners who had been injured, but did not specify how many complaints were received.

Via motoring.asiaone.com

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Honda Elysion MPV Launched on Chinese Market

Honda’s Chinese joint venture with local manufacturer Dongfen has produced its second MPV, the new (and slightly awkward-looking) Elysion. The car will go up against other large MPVs, though its main rival on the domestic market will be the huge Buick GL8 which is also built in China.

The car will only be available with a 2.4-liter petrol engine which puts out 178hp. Its main riva, the GL8 also offers a 3.0-liter V6 option for those wanting a little bit of extra shove. In order to compete with the Buick, though, Honda is expected to add a V6 to the range soon after launch.

Prices for the Honda Elysion range between 283.800 (€35,700) and 319.800 yuan (€40,100). The Elysion is now the second MPV offering from Honda, with the considerably sleeker-looking Odyssey, a car which has been available in China since 2009.

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