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Auto Shanghai 2015: Most impressive Chinese carmakers (Summary)

30. Kawei logoLet’s play guess the logo.

After going through 35 different Chinese carmakers (backwards) in my ‘most impressive’ ranking, our heads are all spinning and there’s nothing better than a good old table to make them stop and summarise everything. You’re welcome. (Click on the brand to see the full article)

Auto Shanghai 2015: The most impressive Chinese carmakers:

PosBrandClaim to fame+
1HavalGreat Wall’s SUV brandMultilayered stand, overall quality, responsivenessConfusing new red/blue logo strategy, cloned designs
2GeelyOwner of VolvoExtremely impressive new GC9 flagshipDefunct brand logos still on models exhibited
3BYDWarren Buffett bought sharesNew launches spot on trend, very clear strategyOnly starting to revive, needs confirmation
4HongqiSupplier of China’s PresidentSophisticated stand, splendid new LS5 SUVUntapped brand potential, needs to emancipate itself
5LeopaardOriginated as a China Army supplierAuthenticity, overall quality of new CS10 SUVLimited lineup
6QorosJoint venture between Chery & IsraelEuropean stand, against the grain 2 PHEV conceptLacks credibility due to limited sales
7ChangAnFord’s joint-venture partner in ChinaVery dynamic and savvy commercial stand (Chana)Apart from CS75 SUV, lagging interior quality
8SoueastMitsubishi’s partner in ChinaImpressive interior quality for the DX7 & V CrossNeeds to cut the Mitsubishi umbilical cord for good
9BaojunSAIC-GM’s low cost brandClears its stand to introduce the new 560 SUVLimited presence at the Show
10FotonTunland Pickup exported overseasVery consistent ‘loud’ positioningLow level of refinement
11DongfengOwns 15% of PSA Peugeot-CitroenConsistent across a multitude of standsAustere and average interiors
12GACFeatured in Transformers 4Very modern and impressive GA8 flagshipUnclear brand strategy
13Maxus“Hot seller in Australia”Fast growing brand, savvy sales personOverselling “success” in Australia
14RoeweRover reborn as a Chinese brandImpressive flagship 950Dangerously becoming pompous, lacks spark
15LifanProduces a Mini cloneGets that its survival resides in SUVs. Launched two.Low quality interiors
16JMCProduces Ford SUVs in ChinaOutrageous concept carsOutrageous concept cars
17ZotyeMy heart vote at Beijing 20145 all-new models exhibitedCold. Grown too fast?
18HuasongThe only all-new brand at the ShowPolished and understated standDisappointing interior. Real need for a new brand?
19JACLargest Chinese brand launch in BrazilTimely S2 mini SUV launch, some funky interiorsToo many logos, bland exteriors
20CheryQQ clone of the Chevrolet MatizHungry attitude, suprisingly good interiorsBland designs
21KaweiSells a Ford F-150 cloneEnthusiastic and spontaneousSells a Ford F-150 clone
22MGYes, it’s that MGFinally getting an SUV with the GSChinese-English blended flair getting lost
23VenuciaNissan’s Chinese low-cost brandNo real new model, Vow concept far off realityStill lacking substance and a story
24JinbeiProduces a rebadged Toyota HiaceSingle minded positioning, decent lineup exhibitedUnexciting
25BrillianceBMW’s partner in ChinaNew V3 small SUVPlastic, harsh and hollow interiors
26HaimaOriginally Mazda’s partner in ChinaTrying to become more sportyNo dynamism, no new SUV
27JoylongMore famous for busesGoing all out with a premium MPVVery limited lineup
28LandwindSells a Range Rover Evoque cloneSmart cloning of Evoque? Decent interior qualityClones foreign manufacturers, very lazy fittings
29HigerSounds like a refrigerator brandA surprisingly large commercial standOver-priced, dated products
30HowoHelps build China’s infrastructureClear efforts to make the brand appealingDefinitely a commercial vehicle feel
31HawtaiSells rebadged Hyundai SUVsLarger stand makes the brand appear biggerExtremely flimsy materials – feels like breaking
32FAWFAW-Daihatsu sedan used to be #1Some slight design improvements in passenger carsPoor quality interiors across the entire lineup
33BAICOwns Saab technologyBJ20 Jeep looking funkyPlain experiors, cheap interiors, confused branding
34ChangheSuzuki’s partner in Chinan/aOver-priced, bottom of the ladder product
35DenzaJoint venture between BYD & Daimlern/aExpensive, bland product, sleep-inducing press conf
WulingBest-selling domestic brand in Chinan/aAbsent at the Show
LianhuaChinese Lotusn/aAbsent at the Show
ZX AutoPickups used by Libyan rebelsn/aAbsent at the Show

Next year we will return to Beijing for a new ranking…

24. Brilliance V3Brilliance will need more than the V3 SUV to go up my ranking in 2016…

This Post Has 3 Comments
  1. @Matt Gasnier
    Well, the chinese market is very interesting because of a lot of changes. Chinese brands are coming and it will be interesting, whether the import-automakers well be able to give answers. Volkswagen is still the biggest brand, but at the moment it looks like they do not have affordable SUV’s to compete with Haval or Baojun 560.

  2. Matt, your artticles about the chinese market are excellent and often three months ahead of what other websites write. Thanks a lot.

    1. Thank you very much for your praise Steam – glad you like them! There are many more coming shortly…
      All the best,
      Matt

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