Chinese Brilliance BS4 Wagon Heads to Europe

With international carmakers having a blast on the Chinese market, local manufacturers now look over the boarder to expand their markets and increase their sales. Apart from trying to purchase ready-made European and American automakers, the Chinese also plan on launching their Chinese built vehicles on the respective continents.

BMW's Chinese partner Brilliance China Auto is reportedly planning the launch on the European market of a model they presented at this year's Geneva Auto Show. Called the BS4, the car is a self-designed Brilliance vehicle.

"We are currently going through regulatory procedures in Europe trying to get our BS4 Wagon into the market," a Brilliance export unit executive was quoted as saying by Reuters. The news was confirmed by another unnamed Brilliance executive, who said the car will enter Europe as soon as it passes all regulatory requirements.

Brilliance is not at its first attempt to enter the European market, as it already managed to do so with the BS4 and BS6 saloons. Since 2007, Brilliance sold about 4,000 units of the two. The wagon would be the third model to enter Europe, with the company reportedly preparing a smaller, BS2 hatchback.

As for the BS4 wagon, it is powered by a 1.8l 170 hp engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Another 2.0l engine is also available, and both are housed in a Pininfarina designed body.

Earlier today, Brilliance announced the forming fo a new joint venture, this time with BMW's rival Daimler, to target the MPV sector, with a preliminary sales goal of 40,000 vehicles per year.