The Original Chinese MG3 & MG5 That Almost Made It To The Market

In 2005 China’s Nanjing Automobile bought the right to the MG brands, and various assets of the MG Rover Group.

But things were pretty messy in England and the Chinese were somewhat inexperienced. This lead to lots of confusion over what Nanjing Automobile had purchased exactly, and what not. Further complicating matters was Honda, which owned the most of the rights to the design of the Rover 45.

Continue reading “The Original Chinese MG3 & MG5 That Almost Made It To The Market”

Crazy Car Production Days of Guangdong: Hebei Xinkai Automobile

Photo by Fr33L00k.

Today in Crazy Car Production Days of Guangdong (CCPDoG): Hebei Xinkai Automobile, a Chinese automaker based in the great city of Gaobeidian in Hebei Province.

The company made various cars under the Guangdong scheme, including at least three variants of the Toyota Camry.

Continue reading “Crazy Car Production Days of Guangdong: Hebei Xinkai Automobile”

How Iran Khodro Tried, and Failed, To Get Into China

Youngman Yunqu GHK7180

Back in 2006 Iranian automaker Iran Khodro (IKCO) tried, and failed, to get into the Chinese car market. They went into China in two ways: with a localized version of the Samand Soren sedan, and with the Peugeot 206 SD sedan.

Continue reading “How Iran Khodro Tried, and Failed, To Get Into China”

Crazy Car Production Days of Guangdong: Qingyuan Bende Chrysler Neon LS

Qingyuan Bende Chrysler Neon LS
Qingyuan Bende Chrysler Neon LS

Today in Crazy Car Production Days of Guangdong (CCPDoG): Qingyuan Bende. This company made the Chrysler Neon LS under the infamous Guangdong scheme in the 1990’s.

Continue reading “Crazy Car Production Days of Guangdong: Qingyuan Bende Chrysler Neon LS”

The Story Of The Roewe R95, A Mercedes-powered Korean-Chinese Limousine

Roewe R95
Roewe R95

Back in 2008 Roewe wanted to add a full-size sedan to their lineup, to be positioned above the Roewe 750. Happily, Roewe didn’t have to go far to find a suitable donor car.

Continue reading “The Story Of The Roewe R95, A Mercedes-powered Korean-Chinese Limousine”

Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot: Tianye Auto

Tianye BQ123
Tianye BQ123

Today in Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot (CCBTTF): Tianye Auto, a brand owned by the Baoding Automobile Factory. They were based in the great city of Baoding in Hebei Province. In the 1980’s and 1990’s they made a series of great looking pickup trucks and SUVs. Continue reading “Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot: Tianye Auto”

Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot: Wuhan Light Automobile Factory

Wuhan WH120
Wuhan WH120

Today in Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot (CCBTTF): Wuhan Light Automobile Factory, based in the great city of Wuhan in Hubei Province. The company that made a series of pickup trucks and SUVs in in 1980’s and early 1990’s.

Continue reading “Chinese Car Brands That Time Forgot: Wuhan Light Automobile Factory”