Roewe 550 - Officially on the market

The Roewe 550 officially jumped onto the Chinese market place earlier today, pricing was announced, as were specifications of the car. Now all we have to do is test drive the car, or at least buy one!

The 550 is China’s first ‘international car’, the car which will clearly shape China as a make it or break it car producing country. The car was designed in the UK, by the hands of Ricardo 2010 who eventually became under SAICs control. From what we believe, the Roewe 550 will eventually be branded as an MG, and then sold into overseas markets, we have heard rumors of the Roewe brand actually being launched in overseas markets, but we cant say for sure.

The Roewe 550 is available in four different packages:

• 550 Standard - 140,280rmb (manual trans)
• 550D - 150,280rmb (manual trans)
• 550S - 150,680rmb (auto trans)
• 550D - 160,680rmb (auto trans)
• 550G - 180,980rmb (auto trans)

Tomorrow we will translate the Roewe 550’s spec sheet, although its looking like the 550G is the model with all the trimmings (airbags in every place possible) and the others only lacking certain items, which is reflected by the minor differences in the price range. The prices are a little higher than earlier pricing expected, but not by much. We really cant wait to get behind the wheels of a Roewe 550 and tell the world what the ride is like.

[Source : China Car Times]

Image Gallery :

Shanghai Auto Heads to Europe in 2009 With Roewe 550

SHANGHAI, China -- Shanghai Auto's SAIC Motor is preparing to market the new Roewe 550 sedan in Europe and other global markets beginning in early 2009.

SAIC still has no specific plans for exports to North America, where the company maintains a purchasing liaison office but lacks a sales and distribution network.

In Europe, the Chinese auto giant is planning to distribute some vehicles through existing Ssangyong dealers. SAIC owns a controlling interest in the small Korean automaker. It is also actively seeking other European distribution partners.

SAIC unveiled the Roewe 550 in April at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. It is the first vehicle to be released following the company's acquisition of struggling Nanjing Auto (NAC) and, along with it, the rights to use the MG brand name.

The Roewe 550, like its larger sibling, the 750, is based heavily on the old Rover 75 sedan, with all-new sheet metal and updated mechanicals. A hatchback version is planned for 2009.

SAIC reportedly has held talks with Karmann about the possibility of assembling the Roewe 550 in Europe. It also now owns and operates the former MG Rover plant in Longbridge, England, where a revived version of the MG TF Roadster is slated to begin production in August.

A companion model to the Roewe 550 sedan, to be called the MG6, is scheduled to be introduced in 2009. Both models are designed to sell in export markets, priced at about $18,000.

[Source : Inside Line]

Image Gallery : SAIC official released



March'08 Spy shot : thanks for Knot@Beijing