BAIC Eyes 400% Dealership Increase in 2011

BAIC is one of the Chinese carmakers that are struggling to make themselves noticed in the automotive industry, so the company is making new investments every once in a while in various segments of its business. BAIC is now aiming to improve its dealership network, so 2011 will bring a number of changes in the number of showrooms wearing the badge of the Chinese car producer.

The brand is aiming to increase the number of stores by 400 percent in 2011 to 200 dealerships, BAIC deputy general manager Zhang Xin said in a statement cited by auto.163.com.

Of course, in order to raise the overall count of dealerships, BAIC has to focus more on the product lineup, so new models are likely to emerge in the near future, including the BC301Z sedan that uses Mitsubishi engines.

However, BAIC is also getting involved in green projects, as it recently presented a prototype developed together with Valeo, believed to preview a model that could be revealed as soon as 2011. The EV employs a complete Valeo electric powertrain system which comprises a synchronous permanent magnet motor with a large operating speed range and a single gear transmission. An electric motor, an inverter, a transmission, a charger, a supervisor and a DC/DC converter are also part of the system.

"The development of this vehicle with our partner BAIC demonstrates Valeo's expertise in powertrain systems designed to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. It also confirms our know-how in electric and hybrid vehicle technology worldwide," said Jacques Aschenbroich, Valeo CEO.