Monthly Archives July 2014

To lower costs and attract more customers, most major auto makers have set up manufacturing factories in China now.

Because of local policy and regulations, almost all foreign makers chose this way to expand its product in China market: they are collaborating with one of Chinese local auto companies and set up a joint venture. For example, Ford is working with Chang’an Automobile, Honda has signed contract with Guangzhou Automobile. For, BMW is teamed up with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited (CBA), and formed “HuaChen BMW” for China market.

BMW has two factories in Shenyang, China: one is called Dadong plant, another is called Tiexi plant...

Today Tesla release information regarding their entry-level sports car, presumably aiming at competitors such as the BMW 3-sereis and Mercedes-Benz C class etc. Below are information confirmed:

– New car will be called: Model III
– 20% smaller than the Model S
– Starting around $35,000
– 200 mile range from a full charge
– Will use lithium-ion batteries

During the last few days, there are some spy shots of the redesigned 2016 BMW 7-series (the G11 7-series) interior layout. From the below gallery we have some findings.

1. The instrument gauge is a combination of round dial frames and digital LCD content (including speed/tachometer scale readings, indicating needles) display;

2. iPad style navigation display screen like the current F30 3-series;

3. Not much of the console area are covered in leather or wood trim, especially the center armrest part, it looks like lots of plastic is used instead.

It is reported by some auto industry analysts that, the sales volume of the industry will reach the top this year. While we cannot be certain that whether this is true, but we do know one thing: the competition between different makers is becoming more intense these years.

This can be sensed from things like auto makers are introducing new models (they are not refresh/redesign of an existing model), such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley are working on their SUV models, Lexus is now selling compact SUV (the NX), BMW rolling out new models such as the 3-series GT, 4-Series Gran Coupe, X4 etc.

For Mercedes-Benz, besides exploring lowered-priced product such as the CLA and GLA clas...

For internal combustion engine cars, different level of trims usually comes with different type of engine. This may not be the same case for electric cars, since there is no “number of cylinders” term for electric motor.

Besides offering electric motors with different output rating, automobile manufacturers now has more options in marketing their products. For Toyota, it is reported they are planning to roll out two types of batteries in the new Prius, which will be redesigned next year as a 2016 model.

For the 2016 Prius, the base models will come with the nickel-metal hydride battery, while upper trim variants will be equipped with the lithium-ion battery...