Legal copy of Smart in Europe this year

Sun, 01/11/2009 - 22:27 — Michał Hadyś

The Chinese copy of Smart will be offered on European markets in the second half of the year - according a prestigious service Automotive News Europe. Unofficial sources say, that lawyers of Mercedes and Italian company’s Martin Motors, are closer to an amicable solution of distribution controversial model. The price of basic version with 1.1L (68hp) engine will be 10,500 EUR in West Europe.

The ban of the sale Chinese copy of Smart in Europe has heard more than one year. A German court issued a ban of the sale and presentation of Shuanghuan Bubble just before the opening of the IAA in Frankfurt in September 2007. German customs requisitioned the first Bubble unit that was shipped to Germany. Despite four-place body and engine placed at the front, Mercedes still maintains its position, considering that the external appearance of Bubble explicitly resembles the original Smart. The situation has changed, because Martin Motors counter-sued Mercedes, claiming a huge compensation EUR 100 mln for the restraint of business. Mercedes fears it could the court case and be forced to pay damages. Mercedes fears the adverse ruling, which can not afford in a situation of crisis in the automotive industry.

The Chinese car was presented under the name Noble in Italy before, but in order to avoid another sue from British sport car marker (Noble Automotie), European importer has to changed this name.

Source: Automotive News Europe
Source: Motor Trend Magazine

Latest news about Martin Motors:

Haval H6 won "CCTV Annual Auto Model Award"

Sat, 02/04/2012 - 13:33 — Michał Hadyś

"CCTV Annual Auto Model Award" is jointly held by many authoritative organizations, such as CCTV Economic Channel and China Automotive Technology and Research Center. The judge panel of this contest consists of one hundred judges, including 30 authoritative automotive experts in China, 50 automotive journalists and 20 representatives from the circulation cycle. Each auto model winner is decided by judges through testing and voting. This contest is one of the most authoritative and popular auto awards in China. The contest is held annually and has become an important reference for Chinese consumers to purchase cars.

Geely bought Volvo designer

Wed, 11/02/2011 - 19:58 — Michał Hadyś

Volvo Car Corp. styling chief Peter Horbury is moving to the Swedish automaker's sister brand, Geely Group, as senior vice president of design - we can read in service autonewschina.com. He began his career with the Swedish automaker in 1991 as head of design, helping to create new models such as the XC90 crossover before he moved in 2002 to Ford's Premier Automotive Group. There, he oversaw design at Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo - autonewschina.com said.

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If you want the subsidy, you should buy a lighter car

Sat, 10/22/2011 - 17:33 — Michał Hadyś

Many car dealers in China are stressed these days, because most of their products failed to reach the new limit to get 3000 RMB (€340) subsidy for fuel-saving cars again - according to China Car Times. The subsidy policy for fuel-saving cars started from June 1, 2010, which has involved more than 400 models and 2 million cars. The so-called fuel-saving car is a passenger vehicle powered by a petrol or diesel engine, including non-plug-in hybrid or bi-fuel power, and the displacement is less than 1.6 liter.

BMW inspired and not only

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 17:50 — Michał Hadyś

Brilliance are one of the better Chinese car companies in terms of their design styling and range, however they have failed to gain mass volume sales in the red hot Chinese market, their line up is quite compact with three sedans (now 4) 1 hatchback, a coupe and a wagon, they also have an SUV in the works which should be shown at the Beijing Auto Show in 2012.

China's July Car Sales Edge up

Wed, 08/10/2011 - 18:19 — Michał Hadyś

In July, the nation's auto sales and output saw its first increase after two consecutive months of decline. Auto sales in China climbed 2.18 percent year-on-year to reach 1.28million units in July, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said Wednesday. The country produced 1.31 million cars in July, up 1.26 percent from one year earlier, the CAAM said.

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