Diary of Chinese Car Market in April

　　Car production and sales slightly declined on month-to-month basis in April, but still exceeded 1.5 million units, maintaining a rapid growth compared with the same period of last year. Production and sales decline of commercial vehicle were lower than passenger vehicles’ on month-to-month basis.

　　Both China’s car production and sales were more than 6 million units in the 4 months this year. And compared with the first half of 2009, production and sales respectively increased by 127,500 and 67,100 units, which continued to decline compared with the first quarter of last year.

　　April 8

　　Description:

　　Beijing Hyundai ix35 went on sale

　　Hyundai ix35 is developed by the Hyundai Design Center in Frankfurt, Germany. With "fluid sculpture" as the design concept, its wheelbase is 2640mm with the length is 4420mm. At the same time the width and height of ix35 respectively are 1820 mm and 1690mm, which enable it to have enough and comfortable space.

　　In addition, ix35 is equipped with a 2.0-liters and 2.4-liters θ-II generation of dual CVVT engine. The maximum power output of 2.0-liters engine is 120KW/6200rpm and the maximum torque is 194N? M/4600rpm. The maximum power output of 2.4-liters engine is 128KW/6000rpm and the maximum torque is 226N? M/4000rpm.

　　Furthermore, ix35 is equipped with 6-speed automated manual transmission imported from South Korea, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), assisting system for climbing up and down hills, brake override system, electronic throttle pedal, panoramic sunroof, four-wheel drive system LOCK & UNLOCK and other high-tech as well as user-friendly equipments.

　　Comments:

　　By the end of October, ix35 has sold 45,868 units since launched in April. Actually, ix35 sold 4,399 units listed in the first month, which broke the industry practice of "new car to adapt to at least 3 to 4 months". What’s more, sales of ix35 were respectively 8,161 and 8,975 units in August and September.　　

　　April 10

　　Description:

　　New Skoda Octavia went on sale

　　High-end A-class New Skoda Octavia of Shanghai Volkswagen went on sale. The listed New Skoda Octavia includes displacement of 1.6-liters, 1.4TSI, 1.8TSI and 2.0-liters, matching 5-speed manual gearbox, Tiptronic six-speed automated manual gearbox and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. With different configurations, Shanghai Volkswagen launched a total of 12 models, which can fully cover high-end A-class car market. As a result, Shanghai Volkswagen Skoda brand will further consolidate and enhance its influence in the A-class car market, and Shanghai Volkswagen dual-brand strategy came into another development phase.

　　Comments:

　　Less than three years, the Octavia has won more than 200,000 users and more than 20% of recommended purchase rate from faithful customers. Currently, the Octavia firmly occupy the top three brands among high-end A-class car market. Now, the baton passed to the new Octavia. Based on good market and a comprehensive upgrading of product quality, this new car is expected to continue glory.

　　April 12

　　Description:

　　Camry hybrid which is environmental friendly

　　Compared with the former generation of Camry, Camry hybrid is not only upgraded in appearance and the interior, but also equipped with the new generation of Toyota Hybrid System-II. Toyota Hybrid System-II combines advantages of the motors and engines, which not only has top-level dynamic performance of medium and high-end vehicles, but also achieves excellent low fuel consumption and low emissions. Compared with the gasoline engine, C02 emissions of Camry hybrid can be reduced more than 30%. At the same time, CO, NOx and NMCH emissions also sharply reduce.

　　Comments:

　　There are two considerations for Guangzhou Auto Toyota to place the advanced hybrid engine of Toyota on medium and high-end Camry. One is cost, because Camry can dilute the mold cost due to its great sales. Another is the specification. Constrained by sales and technologies, the prices of hybrid are supposed to be higher than other models, which is consistent with the characteristics of medium and high-end Camry on prices and preference.

　　We can say that Camry Hybrid is the most ideal model for environmentalists in recent 10 years. (Translator: Qinghua Wade)

　　See original Chinese report Please click:

　　http://auto.sohu.com/20101126/n277930923_3.shtml