Green tinge to Shanghai show
'Red China' goes green as the country's domestic car makers introduce fuel-efficient modelsThis year's Shanghai Auto Show wore the same green cloak as others have in the motor show circuit recently. And commendably, the eco drive is homegrown.
Most of the local manufacturers had something green on their stands even though several of China's automakers are relatively new to the game.
The self-owned Chery Auto Group is just 12 years old but three green vehicles were among the lineup on its display at Shanghai. The A3 hatchback -- which earns the company 5000 sales per month -- was introduced in hybrid form alongside the company's Fulwin 2 model.
The Fulwin uses what Chery calls its BSG technology, or 'Belt Driven Starter Generator' in the form of a stop/start system.
Chery's "medium to high market" sub-brand Riich unveiled a plug-in version of the small M1 hatchback.
Great Wall Motors revealed a concept electric vehicle based on its Gwperi light car model, called Gwkulla.
Changfeng Motors is claiming China's first hybrid SUV in its Liebao CS7 model, which is based on the Kylin softroader. Changfeng is aiming to introduce the hybrid SUV by 2010.
The Roewe company is soldiering on and alongside the release of its rather smart-looking 550 sedan it showed a hybrid version of the 750 model. Parent company SAIC is developing a fuel cell car; currently used in its small sedan.
Early this year the Chinese Government introduced a rise in petroleum taxes from the 0.2 Yuan per litre to one Yuan, and diesel tax from 0.1 Yuan per litre to 0.8 Yuan, further prompting local manufacturers to develop more efficient vehicles for China's burgeoning auto market.
However several local green models on show at Shanghai have already made other events in the motor show circuit, including Beijing and even Detroit.
Key to pictures: #1 and #2 (green car on stand with model) are Great Wall Gwkulla; #3 is (Red SUV) is Changfeng Liebao CS7; #4 and #5 are Fulwin2; #6, 7 and 8 are the Chery A3; #9, 10 and 12 are the Riich M1 and pic #11 is the (blue Rover 75 look-alike) Roewe 750.
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