Chinese are everywhere nowadays, that's for sure. After purchasing Hummer and getting involved in two of the biggest deals of the automotive industry - Opel and Saab -, Chinese automakers are again making the headlines on the back of global companies. This time it's Mitsubishi, as it is rumored its very own Pajero might be sold in China as Changfeng Pajero. How come?
Well, according to a report by chinacartimes.com, Changfeng and Mitsubishi previously worked on building the second generation Pajero for the Peoples Liberation Army but some units were also addressed to the passenger car market. The third generation Pajero went as well under Changfeng's umbrella, but things might get a bit more complicated soon.
Guangzhou Auto and Changfeng Auto formed an alliance, which means the joint venture might have an ace up their sleeve and debut their very own SUV based on the Pajero. Details are obviously unconfirmed at this time but, given Guangzhou Auto's enthusiastic plans, such a scenario is quite probable.
On the other hand, the agreement between Mitsubishi and Changfeng will expire this year but the two haven't commented on the possibility to expand the deal so far. Furthermore, the Pajero was produced by many other automakers in the region, including Beijing Auto, Sinchuan Xunchi Auto and Hebei Jincheng Auto which could make one raise an eyebrow when hearing about a Guangzhou Pajero.
Still, anything is possible in such a difficult market environment, especially when considering the financial power of Chinese manufacturers who are tempted to get involved in almost every deal across the world. They bought Hummer, they could take Opel and they're still in the game for other brands. We'll just have to wait and see.
Well, according to a report by chinacartimes.com, Changfeng and Mitsubishi previously worked on building the second generation Pajero for the Peoples Liberation Army but some units were also addressed to the passenger car market. The third generation Pajero went as well under Changfeng's umbrella, but things might get a bit more complicated soon.
Guangzhou Auto and Changfeng Auto formed an alliance, which means the joint venture might have an ace up their sleeve and debut their very own SUV based on the Pajero. Details are obviously unconfirmed at this time but, given Guangzhou Auto's enthusiastic plans, such a scenario is quite probable.
On the other hand, the agreement between Mitsubishi and Changfeng will expire this year but the two haven't commented on the possibility to expand the deal so far. Furthermore, the Pajero was produced by many other automakers in the region, including Beijing Auto, Sinchuan Xunchi Auto and Hebei Jincheng Auto which could make one raise an eyebrow when hearing about a Guangzhou Pajero.
Still, anything is possible in such a difficult market environment, especially when considering the financial power of Chinese manufacturers who are tempted to get involved in almost every deal across the world. They bought Hummer, they could take Opel and they're still in the game for other brands. We'll just have to wait and see.