Bright spots of Auto Guangzhou 2019
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- As the second most popular motor show in China following the bi-annual Beijing and Shanghai Shows, the Auto Guangzhou 2019 attracted a great deal of local and global automakers to show off their newest products and technologies.
Gasgoo hereby rounds up the bright spots of major exhibitors, covering global carmakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, state-owned groups like SAIC Motor and BAIC Group (including joint ventures), as well as China's indigenous automakers such as Geely and Great Wall Motor.
Volkswagen
At the end of October, Volkswagen scrapped its chrome-effect logo for a flat “digital-first” visual identity to market the “start of a new era”. The new logo and the tagline of “Welcome to new Volkswagen” are quite noticeable at the auto show.
The German auto giant showcased a plethora of newest products on spot, including vehicles made by joint ventures—FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen, and other imported models.
Three models, namely, FAW-Volkswagen's TACQUA, SAIC Volkswagen's Viloran MPV and the Touareg imported PHEV, were first seen by the public.
Volkswagen Group China, together with its Chinese partners, plans to invest over 4 billion Euro next year, with around 40% of this investment going towards e-mobility. “I am looking forward to 2020, when our local e-car production will significantly increase in scale. Success in e-mobility will be a key driver for reaching our sustainability target, becoming net carbon neutral by 2050,” said Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein，CEO of Volkswagen Group China.
Audi
FAW-Volkswagen Audi showed its competitive product matrix and latest achievements in electrification at the Auto Guangzhou. Of over 20 models exhibited, two BEV models—the Audi e-tron and the Audi Q2L e-tron—did stun many viewers with their unmistakable looks after hitting the market on November 18.
The Audi e-tron, honored the first C-segment (full-sized) SUV in premium vehicle domain, epitomizes Audi’s cutting-edge electrification technologies. From 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, a range of over 400 kilometers (248.5 mi) in the WLTP driving cycle, zero local emissions – the all-electric SUV is powerful, efficient, sporty and practical for everyday driving.
The Audi Q2L e-tron, positioned as an A-segment (compact size) pure electric SUV that targets young consumers, features a powertrain churning 100kW and 290N·m of peak torque.
What's more, the all-new Q7 made its China premiere at the show. The automaker said it is the segment-only flagship SUV with its entire series coming standard with seven-seater layout. Its 5,063-mm-long body can satisfy both personal travelling and family & business trips.
The brand with four rings also presented three significant wagon models. Of those, the Audi A4 Avant hit the market, and the all-new Audi A6 Avant & allroad started to be available for presale.
Additionally, Audi displayed a number of models from its A, Q and R families. The all-new Audi A7 Sportback 2.0T went on sale at the show. Other products of the A series included the all-new A6L 55 TFSI e, the all-new Audi Q7 TFSI e, the all-new Audi A8L, the all-new A6L, the A5, the A4L and the A3. The Q family attracted the public's attention with the all-new Audi Q8, the all-new Q5L, the all-new Q3 and the all-new Q2L.
Besides, such high-performance models as the FE 06, the Audi R8 Spyder, the RS5 coupe, the RS4 Avant, the S5 and the S4 caught the eye of audiences with their dynamic essence.
GAC Group
GAC Group, the local automaker of Guangzhou where the auto gathering is held, showcased multiple products along with its subsidiaries including GAC Trumpchi, GAC NE, GAC Honda, GAC Toyota, GAC FCA and GAC Mitsubishi.
GAC Honda brought products under Honda, Acura and EVERUS brands. The all-new BREEZE mid-sized SUV must be the biggest bright spot.
The joint venture also announced its new service initiative “Fun Link” to get products, consumers and services closer.
The second-generation Trumpchi GS4 series enjoys a particular exhibition area. Besides, the all-new Trumpchi GA8, GS8 and GM8 are displayed at the same time.
GAC NE exhibited two hotter-selling models—the Aion S and Aion LX.
The CDX, the CDX Sport Hybrid, the NSX, the RDX A-SPEC Concept from GAC Honda's Acura appeared at the auto show. Notably, the Auto Guangzhou offers the stage for the CDX A-SPEC Concept to make its global debut.
The 7-year-old GAC Mitsubishi formally launched the new ASX in the meantime.
Moreover, GAC Group released the “e-TIME” plan which embodies the group’s ambition to improve consumers’ experience, technologies, and further develop businesses of connectivity, intelligent manufacturing as well as electrification.
SAIC Motor
The product lineup showcased by SAIC Motor is rather rich as well.
SAIC Volkswagen offered the first glimpse of the Viloran, its first large-sized luxury commercial MPV.
Baojun unveiled the new RM-5 1.5L, offering five-/six-/seven-seater layouts for consumers' free option. Prices range between RMB78,800 and RMB93,800.
Roewe saw its new plug-in SUV, the RX5 eMAX, hit the market, with prices ranging from RMB195,800 to RMB235,800. Moreover, the automaker also took the wraps off the Vision-iM MPV Concept.
FAW Group
The premium brand Hongqi displayed seven eye-catching models at the show, including the Hongqi E115, the HS7 and the HS5. Particularly, it is the domestic premiere for the Hongqi E115.
A series of TNGA-based models, including the all-new RAV4, the all-new Corolla and the Avalon, are presented by FAW Toyota. What's more, the IZOA EV, the joint venture's first BEV model that is scheduled to hit the market next year, has been showcased at the same time.
FAW Besturn offered the exhibition of many products such as the Besturn T77, T33, T99 as well as its first all-electric SUV—the Besturn C105. The BEV model code-named C105 is expected to go on sale at next year's Auto China in Beijing, according to Liu Changqing, president of FAW Car Co.,Ltd.
BAIC Group
BEIJING, the new brand integrating products and resources of BAIC BJEV and BAIC Motor, for the first time got its products landed on the Auto Guangzhou, containing both SUV and car products and covering small-sized to mid-sized segments. The group reportedly plans to pump RMB20 billion over the next five years in the R&D of all-electric BE22 platform and the BMFA platform available for fuel-burning vehicles, BEVs and PHEVs under the BEIJING brand.
Beijing Hyundai showcased several models like the tenth-generation SONATA and the LA FESTA BEV.
At the auto show, the Sino-Korean joint venture launched its all-new technology brand “SMART+ Strategy”, which is designed on the basis of Hyundai's vision in “Clean Mobility”, “Connected Mobility” and “Freedom Mobility”.
BMW Group
BMW Group draw the public's attention with more than 30 models exhibited at the same time. Of those, the all-new BMW X6 and the fire-new members of the BMW 3 Series lineup—the 320i Sport, the 320Li M Sport, the 330Li xDrive M Sport and the 330i M Sport—were formally put onto the market.
Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz GLB celebrated its domestic premiere at the show. Additionally, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLS went on sale, priced from RMB1.038 million to RMB1.268 million.
Another highlight is the Mercedes-AMG 35 L 4MATIC which also hit the market this time. As AMG’s first China-built model, the new sedan is sold at a price range of RMB399,800-419,800. Powered by a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the vehicle is able to complete the 0-100km/h sprint within only 4.9 seconds.
Geely Automobile
Geely Automobile amazed audiences with the global debut of its all-new SUV model dubbed “icon”. The presale of the icon “Milky Way” limited edition simultaneously kicked off.
Meanwhile, the Lynk & Co 01 HEV, the first HEV model of the Chinese-Swedish auto brand, went on sale with a guide price of RMB182,800.
The automaker also grabbed the attention of many viewers with its Geometry A and the Emgrand GSe BEVs.
Chery Auto
Chery Auto showed off such hotter-selling models as the all-new Tiggo 8 and ARRIZO GX, totaling 8 models. Especially, an all-new SUV concept made its global debut at the same time.
The Anhui-based automaker also showcased its latest powertrain products, including the CVT25, the DHT (dedicated hybrid transmission) and the third-generation ACTECO 1.6TGDI engine.
Changan Automobile
On November 22, the CS55PLUS of Changan CS family was officially launched at the Auto Guangzhou. Offered in four variants in total, the new SUV is priced from RMB91,900 to RMB114,900.
Besides, the automaker also displayed another 11 models like the CS75PLUS at the show.
To seize the significant chance to boost sales, the joint venture Changan Ford impressed audiences with its first strategic model, the all-new Ford Escape SUV, which is expected to go on sale in middle December.
Great Wall Motor
As China's largest SUV and pickup manufacturer, Great Wall Motor can never miss the show.
The company put two WEY-branded PHEV models—the VV7 PHEV and the VV7 GT PHEV—onto the market.
Moreover, it started to receive orders of a special edition of the Haval H9, which is engineered by German tuning firm Lorinser, and the all-new Haval H6 GT.
Great Wall Motor is ambitious to sell 300,000 WEY-branded SUVs per year by 2025, the company's chairman Wei Jianjun announced the goal on the eve of the auto show.
In a bid to enhance WEY's global influence, the company aims to roll out the vehicles to Europe in 2021 and to North America in 2023, and then extend to the rest part of the world, according to Mr. Wei (photo source: corresponding automaker's WeChat accounts or websites).
