LA SAIC projette un lancement de ses modèles en Europe pour septembre 2007 au salon de Frankfort. Début de la production de la 75 en octobre de cette année 2006...
[Source : Automotive News Europe]
[SAIC plans European launch 2007
Paulo Soares de Oliveira | | Automotive News Europe / August 21, 2006 - 6:00 am
LONDON – Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. will use next year’s IAA in Frankfurt to launch three models in Europe, dealer sources say.
At the September 2007 show, the Chinese automaker will unveil:
* a sedan based on the lower-premium Rover 75
* a lower-medium car
* a small-segment hatchback.
European sales of the cars will begin soon after the auto show, dealer sources said here last week.
SAIC bought the intellectual property rights to the Rover 25 lower-medium hatchback and 75 sedan from MG Rover in 2004. The British carmaker collapsed in April 2005.
Former MG Rover researchers working for Ricardo of West Sussex, England, are helping SAIC develop cars for China and other markets.
SAIC plans to start building the Rover 75 in China in October. The sedan will be the first car built by SAIC under its own name. The carmaker currently makes cars through joint ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen.
SAIC is in the final stages of negotiations with BMW to use the Rover brand name. BMW bought the Rover Group, MG Rover’s predecessor, in 1994. It kept the rights to the Rover name when it sold the group in 2000.
SOURCE: Automotive News Europe]