General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp have agreed to set up a joint venture that will produce and sell small cars and mini-commercial vehicles in India, the two companies said Friday. The two partners, who already have an established relationship in China, will draw on the troubled US carmaker's existing presence in India to exploit that country's "long-term potential", a statement said. "SAIC and GM are in a strong position to introduce competitive products outside China that... Read Full Story
Suzuki's take on a personal mobility vehicle - the PIXY+SCC concept By Brendan Moore 11.12.2007 Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) and General Motors, partners in a highly successful joint venture in China, will show a “personal mobility concept” at the upcoming Expo in Shanghai. The personal mobility concept segment is comprised of clean, sustainably-powered small or micro vehicles. The personal mobility concept envisions an emerging class of clean-energy vehicles, such as solar... Read Full Story
The Volkswagen Magotan - China's version of the Passat Shanghai Auto sees growth in China and abroad By Brendan Moore 10.16.2007 The things you learn by perusing news reports about Communist Party meetings in China: Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) chairman Hu Maoyuan, told Communist Party bosses in Beijing earlier today that the company is on track to produce two million vehicles by 2010 calendar year. The projected two million total includes the vehicles they make for GM and VW through joint... Read Full Story
I took two trips to Shanghai , one in October 2004 and one in February of 2005, and very much enjoyed the city. I found the Holga camera perfect to capture the mood of the city, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. The fact that my hotel room was on the 68th floor also helped in capturing a few rather spectacular views. Read Full Story
Shanghai Centre is a true Shanghai icon. Located in the heart of the Jing An District, on famous Nanjing Rd West, Shanghai Centre is ideally placed to cater to all of your professional and personal needs. Renowned for its unique architecture, the complex is comprised of three towers that rise dramatically from an 8-storey podium. The city's first and largest multi-use venue, Shanghai Centre offers superior standards with an unprecedented range of facilities - 472 luxury serviced... Read Full Story
By Brendan Moore 10.30.2007 General Motors has announced plans to open a state of the art research center in China to develop alternative energy vehicles. The scientific research center will be funded by an initial $250 million USD allocation from GM. The plan also calls for the research center to be part of GM’s new Shanghai “campus” where the company’s new in-country headquarters will be located. “We believe China has the potential to become a leader in the adoption of alternative... Read Full Story
Is the short-term gain worth the possible long-term pain? By Chris Haak 04.25.2007 Nearly all of the major players in the global auto industry – GM, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, etc. – have a significant presence in China. Why wouldn’t they, after all? It’s a big market now, and a huge potential market that will only grow at a torrid pace over the next several years. Companies like GM and Ford who are seeing double-digit sales declines in their home market are seeing their sales in China... Read Full Story
T oday is the 60th anniversary of the Communist rule in China, with big parades and much talk. Things have changed since then, but sometimes it almost seems that history is doubling back. I am reminded of the visit I took to Shanghai when I was working on my book Green City a couple of years ago. Karl Marx and Mao Zedong were still present in Shanghai then, but in a way that neither would recognize. For example, on the Sunday afternoon in April when I visited the former girl’s school where... Read Full Story
By Brendan Moore 04.26.2007 It seems as if this is turning into the All-China Cars site this week, but things keep happening that concern the Chinese manufacturers, so here we are again. On April 17, I posed the question regarding when a Chinese car company would be selling their cars in the U.S. or Europe in substantial numbers under their own brand name. I offered the opinion in the article that it wouldn’t happen within two years, and would probably be around five years. Three days ago... Read Full Story
Chevy Spark - China By Brendan Moore 04.02.2007 GM can do no wrong in China. First quarter results came out earlier today, and vehicle sales for General Motors were up 25% over first quarter 2006, which itself broke the previous quarter record. Retail sales in China totaled 291,588 vehicles during the January-March period, including vehicles manufactured by Shanghai GM, their joint venture in China. As usual, the Buick nameplate led the way for GM’s results. GM surpassed Volkswagen last year... Read Full Story
