Although Chinese automakers have continuously failed to break into the European market, this year’s attempt with its Qoros 3 sedan may finally get them their wish. The car, owned jointly with investment company Israel Corp., and Chery Automotive is set to launch at the Geneva Auto Show on Tuesday (March 5) is being taken as a “serious threat because it is using well established companies such as Magna Steyr and experienced executives such as Gert Hildebrand, former head of styling at Mini, to design and engineer its cars to Western standards,” according to a report in Automotive News.
According to Qoros vice chairman Volker Steinwascher (formerly an executive at Volkswagen)and Hildebrand, the Quoros was described as a model that “combines German design quality and craftsmanship with Japanese convenience and functionality.”
In addition, the 2014 model, which is comprable in size to VW’s Jetta, while resembling the Mazda3, is believed to be powered by a 1.6 turbo engine delivered from Chery and will be connected to either a six-speed manual or a 6-speed DCT. It is also reported that this year’s sedan will be joined by both a hatchback and cross-over model next year to coincide with its debut into the Chinese auto market sometime next year, although the company has yet to confirm a launch date.
More than 700,000 visitors are expected to attend the 83rd International Motor Show will be held in Geneva from March 7-17 and will feature 900 vehicles.
http://www.examiner.com/article/citroen-shrinks-minivan-for-geneva-show.
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