Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
Apart from electric vehicles, the other thing that this year's Frankfurt Motor Show had in spades was Chinese SUVs - some of them, indeed, having electric powertrains as well.
There is no doubt that the Asian manufacturers have set their sights on the European market, and even though they might find it a tougher nut to crack than they probably imagine, it looks like they're not short on perseverance. Or models, for that matter.
The two hottest commodities in the automotive industry at this time are EVs and SUVs. The Chinese have an advantage as far as the former go since their domestic market has been supporting the idea of switching to battery-powered vehicles for longer and with more aplomb than in Europe. They may not have such a long tradition in making SUVs, but they've proven they catch up very quickly.
So far, the only limited success Chinese brands have had on the Old Continent was with very cheap cars. They were targeting those who wanted a new vehicle with decent specs, but could only afford a stripped down Dacia. Now, though, it looks like Great Wall Motors might be planning to make one or even more steps up the ladder and sell premium SUVs to luxury-seeking Europeans.
Since the Great Wall name was already associated with a certain type of products, the company had to come up with a new moniker. It went with "Wey," and the new sub-brand made its European debut in Frankfurt with three SUVs and a concept.
The three vehicles already in production in China are as generic-looking as they are named: VV5S, VV7S, and P8. They all resemble existing European models, which means they are far from ugly, but they also lack personality and a clear brand identity.
The concept, however, is an entirely different story. It's called the XEV, and it has the shape of a coupe SUV/crossover with two large doors that flip up to allow access to both seat rows. It also has the rear of a baboon with hemorrhoids, which has to be the weirdest inspiration source we've heard of so far.
On the technical side, the XEV uses a gasoline engine to power the front axle and an electric motor for the rear one, making it an all-wheel-drive hybrid. It's also said to have autonomous capabilities, but since it's a concept, they can say whatever they like. Just like we can say "better luck next time."
Great Wall hasn't made its intentions clear for the Wey brand as well as international availability goes, but showing up in force in Frankfurt suggests such a move can't be too far away. If it happens, either it hires experienced designers with ideas of their own, or telling between Wey's and other manufacturers' models is going to be very tricky.
The two hottest commodities in the automotive industry at this time are EVs and SUVs. The Chinese have an advantage as far as the former go since their domestic market has been supporting the idea of switching to battery-powered vehicles for longer and with more aplomb than in Europe. They may not have such a long tradition in making SUVs, but they've proven they catch up very quickly.
So far, the only limited success Chinese brands have had on the Old Continent was with very cheap cars. They were targeting those who wanted a new vehicle with decent specs, but could only afford a stripped down Dacia. Now, though, it looks like Great Wall Motors might be planning to make one or even more steps up the ladder and sell premium SUVs to luxury-seeking Europeans.
Since the Great Wall name was already associated with a certain type of products, the company had to come up with a new moniker. It went with "Wey," and the new sub-brand made its European debut in Frankfurt with three SUVs and a concept.
The three vehicles already in production in China are as generic-looking as they are named: VV5S, VV7S, and P8. They all resemble existing European models, which means they are far from ugly, but they also lack personality and a clear brand identity.
The concept, however, is an entirely different story. It's called the XEV, and it has the shape of a coupe SUV/crossover with two large doors that flip up to allow access to both seat rows. It also has the rear of a baboon with hemorrhoids, which has to be the weirdest inspiration source we've heard of so far.
On the technical side, the XEV uses a gasoline engine to power the front axle and an electric motor for the rear one, making it an all-wheel-drive hybrid. It's also said to have autonomous capabilities, but since it's a concept, they can say whatever they like. Just like we can say "better luck next time."
Great Wall hasn't made its intentions clear for the Wey brand as well as international availability goes, but showing up in force in Frankfurt suggests such a move can't be too far away. If it happens, either it hires experienced designers with ideas of their own, or telling between Wey's and other manufacturers' models is going to be very tricky.
Google News