China is the largest automotive market in the world. It is in China that more cars are produced and sold than anywhere else on the planet.
It is interesting to know how this market works, because the automotive world in China is strikingly different from what we see in America or Europe.
We take a look at interesting car models that are top-ranked in terms of sales based on data from China Auto Web and the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
The best selling cars in the PRC
Baojun 560
As a result of cooperation between General Motors, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co Limited, a new automobile concern was formed - Baojun. Further growth of Baojun led to the creation of another well-known Chinese company - Wuling.
Wuling and Baojun are two of the most popular car brands in the country. And the Baojun 560 model takes the honorable tenth place in sales in China. In 2016, sales of this model were 321,555 units.
This compact crossover, according to the automaker, is built on a "world-class chassis optimized for Lotus", powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 135 hp. with.
GAC Trumpchi GS4
The GAC Trumpchi GS4 is a compact crossover that also ranks among the top best-selling vehicles in China. A colossal number of these cars was sold - 326,906 units.
The car is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an output of about 135 hp. with.
On June 10, 2018, an updated GAC GS4 was released with a revised exterior and a redesigned interior. The design changes are minimal, but they have given the SUV a more solid and modern look.
The front end is now equipped with new LED headlights, a slightly redesigned radiator grille, a more solid, larger bumper with L-shaped sections for daytime running lights and fog lights.
VW Sagitar
The Sagitar is essentially a Volkswagen Jetta Mark 6 assembled at FAW-VW's Changchun plant using parts supplied by Volkswagen de Mexico. Volkswagen is very popular in China, which is why 341,331 units were sold there in 2016.
Nissan sylphy
The Sylphy is essentially a Sentra, but in China the car is offered with two naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines.
The 1.8-liter model is similar to the North American one, with an output of around 130bhp. with., and the Chinese car is less powerful, equipped with a 1.6-liter engine.
Baojun 730
The seven-seater minivan is very popular in China. Buyers can choose between a 1.5-liter or 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Like the Baojun 560, this car received suspension tweaks from Lotus.
Baojun 730 is a joint partnership product between SAIC-GM-Wuling, became the first vehicle under RMB 160,000 to receive a five-star safety rating from the China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) at launch.
The seven-seat MPV scored a maximum of 18 points in side impact tests and an overall score of 54.4 in crash tests conducted by the China Center for Automotive Technology and Research (CATARC).
The company says a buffer zone in the engine compartment and the use of thermoforming technology on the B-pillars and door panels help protect passengers in the event of a frontal or side impact.
In addition, more than 60 percent of the body structure is made of high-strength steel, which also provides significant rigidity in the event of a collision.
The 730 comes standard with an 8-inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth and USB mobile support.
Four airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution are standard safety features, while electronic stability control is an option.
The 730 was created to meet the needs of growing Chinese families, and since it launched in July 2014, it has already acquired 250,000 customers.
The Baojun brand itself was created just four years earlier, in 2010, as a low-cost alternative to other GM brands on the market, such as Chevrolet and Buick.
Buick excelle gt
At the time of release, the price of this model ranged from 109,900 to 159,900 yuan. The Buick Excelle GT is an addition to GM's lineup in China, built on a new platform.
The old Buick Excelle GT was based on the Opel Astra sedan and is known in the United States as the Buick Verano. It is much larger than the new Excelle GT.
For comparison:
- Excelle GT (Astra, Verano): 4671/1815/1478, wheelbase - 2685;
- Excelle GT (new): 4587/1798/1463, wheelbase is 2640.
The Buick Excelle GT is available with two four-cylinder petrol engines: a 1.5-liter with 114 hp. and 143 Nm, as well as a 1.4-liter turbine with 144 hp. and 200 Nm.
The 1.5-liter variant comes with a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, while the 1.4 turbo comes with a seven-speed DCT.
VW Lavida
Volkswagen Lavida was first introduced to the Chinese car market in 2008. And it was this sedan that became the best-selling one. It is difficult to understand what exactly attracts the local population in this model, but more than 478,699 cars have already been sold.
Haval H6, H6 Sport, H6 Coupe
The Chinese market is similar to others in many ways - customers are also opting for practical, spacious crossovers. The Great Wall Haval H6 is special because, unlike many of the other vehicles on this list, it is truly a Chinese product, with no involvement or help from third-party automakers. The Haval H6 is offered with a range of petrol or diesel engines and is equipped with all-wheel drive.
The air vents refer to the Audi design - this also applies to the door handles. The soft-touch material on the top panel, the shiny light gray wood-effect applique on the dashboard and center console evoke only positive emotions.
The front seats are flimsy and flimsy enough, but well shaped enough to feel comfortable in.
Founded in 1976, Great Wall Motor Company manufactures and markets the Great Wall, Haval, Wey and Ora brands.
Great Wall works closely with Yogomo to produce products under the Link Tour EV brand. The company ceased production of passenger cars under its own brand at the end of 2018.
In 2019, the company's management ambitiously announced its plans overseas to correct the slowdown in the domestic auto market decline. According to company chairman Wei Jianjun, global expansion is needed to counter the slump in SUV and pickup truck sales in China.
The executive also said the company can no longer be confined to the domestic market if it wants to grow.
The Chinese car maker plans to export more than 60,000 vehicles this year, 25% more than the number of vehicles it exported in the previous period.
Great Wall Motors currently supplies its vehicles to Australia, Chile, South Africa and Russia. To enter the more global global market, Chinese manufacturers will have to significantly improve the quality of their vehicles.
Wuling hongguang
The most popular car sold in the Chinese market is Wuling Hongguang, with 650018 vehicles sold in 2016. Hongguang is designed for 7 passengers, which once again proves how popular a versatile minivan can be. This car was created in Liuzhou (Guangxi).
What kind of budget car do buyers need? It must be reliable, economical and practical. This 7-seater van is powered by a 1.5-liter i4 engine, 5-speed gearbox, and 105 hp. with. and has a maximum torque of 147 Nm.
These numbers are not impressive, but the success of this model is not accidental. The van is very practical, the large interior space allows you to transport a lot of people or engage in cargo transportation.
Thanks to the huge sales volume, even in the event of a breakdown, you can always find cheap parts and a repair shop where the car will be promptly restored.
Wuling Hongguang performs well on rough roads and rural areas. The cost of the car is less than $ 7,800. For this money, you get a vehicle with air conditioning, good power and roomy interior space.
Wuling cars are also sold abroad, and in Latin America they are offered under the Chevrolet brand. In addition to reliability, attractive prices and outstanding usability, the automaker is responsible for the needs of its users.
The Wuling brand nameplate is very similar to the Corvette. And translated from Chinese "Wuling" means "five diamonds". Wuling Hongguang is now produced by a joint venture between Wuling, GM and Shanghai Motors.
One Wuling is sold every 6 seconds. Many people use Wuling to transport goods, earning their livelihood. It helps many Chinese people not to die of hunger, while for others it is a faithful friend and helper.
Changan S35
Changan is actively working with Ford, Mazda and Peugeot and is currently considering expansion and export to the UK and Europe.
The CS55 is a compact SUV that was unveiled at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show.
The exterior was developed with input from the Changan design studio in Turin, and while there are nods to the latest Land Rover models in some details, it looks mostly uniform.
The 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts is controlled by a six-speed Aisin Warner automatic transmission.
The maximum power is 154 hp. at 5500 rpm, and the maximum torque reaches 165 Nm. The CS55 has been tested to meet the Chinese NCAP standards, which are said to be in line with the European ones.
Conclusion
The latest generations of Chinese cars are rapidly catching up with Western standards for interior quality. About ten years ago, models from Chinese brands were made from cheap plastic and did not hold up to scrutiny. Recently, this situation has been changing for the better, and Chinese manufacturers are trying to use high-quality materials in the decoration.
Automakers fear China will dominate the global auto market. It already produces cars for leading manufacturers thanks to cheap labor and materials.
Thus, even if you would not buy a car directly from a Chinese manufacturer, it should be borne in mind that the car you drive, or just want to buy, may be assembled in China.
The Chinese are famous for clones of popular brands and offal, but who knows - maybe in the future, Chinese cars will be our only choice.
When it comes to Chinese brands, the first thing that comes to mind is:
- Geely;
- FAW;
- Great Wall;
- Dongfeng.
Car designs from these brands are ridiculous copies of famous models, and materials and parts of dubious quality are used in the manufacture.
Nevertheless, from year to year there is an increase in quality, new models are being produced, new brands are being created, which are not much inferior to top foreign novelties.
