Will the Chinese buy out their JV partners?
The Chinese auto industry has been involved
with major players from the West in joint ventures (JVs) to
produce cars from the ranges of major manufacturers such as
GM, Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW. Some of these JVs are now
10 years old, and have been advantageous for what was
China’s fledgling auto manufacturing industry. The deal was
simple - we give you access to the burgeoning Chinese
market, and you give us access to your technology. In
theory, a win-win situation. But like in all things in life,
some are more winning than others!
Chinese
Rover - Roewe 750
The hard pill for the western automakers to swallow is that
their Chinese JV partners are now strong enough to challenge
cars made under license with their own Chinese brands. An
example is the Chinese Buick LaCrosse which is assembled by
Shanghai Auto Industrial Corporation (SAIC), which just also
happens to produce its own vehicle called the Roewe 750,
made after SAIC acquired the plans from the UK MG Rover
group. Similar sized cars coming out of the same factory,
but the Chinese Roewe is US$7,000 cheaper than its
Chinese-American rival.
The reason that China has become so important is the rate of
growth in the auto industry in that country. The marketplace
grew 35 percent last year, making it the fastest growth in
major countries. Some pundits are predicting that by 2010,
China will pass the US as the top market for cars and trucks
in the world.
The Chinese are coming. And by the time they are ready to
hit the world automotive market, their cars will be not just
good value, they will be inherently good cars. This will
still take a few years, as the Chinese products will have to
be engineered to pass all the European/US design rules. But
it will happen, and you will see Chinese car dealerships in
Thailand by 2010.
Another Thai 24 hour in
August
The third running of the Thailand 24 Hour Race will be held
at the Birakart Speedway, just outside Pattaya, from 16-19
August 2007. Following the popularity of the previous 24
hour events, organizer Christian Gilles has already received
over 20 entries for the one this coming August.
The race is based on the “Arrive and Drive” concept and has
attracted Karting aficionados from all around the world. Not
having to arrange freight for karts is a boon, as well as
there being no hassles with scrutineering, with the
organizers supplying 30 identical karts for the event and
you draw a lucky number to get your particular kart. All the
overseas teams have to do is to get their drivers here. Even
Karting licenses are arranged for the entrants at Birakart,
on the spot, for 100 baht.
Christian Gilles has indicated there are only nine entries
left to be filled, at the time of going to press, but spaces
were filling rapidly. The “Arrive and Drive” entry fee
covers the use of one of the 30 identical karts, all the
fluids, petrol, oil, etc., and spare parts, kart repairs and
maintenance.
There is one official practice day of four hours for all
teams (Thursday August 16). The package also includes
medical assistance during the race, trophies for the winning
teams and numerous cash and other prizes, adjustable foam
seat set (adaptable on the standard one), and one private
pit area for each team, with 3 beds.
Each team shall have a minimum of four drivers and a maximum
of eight. Each driver must do at least 90 minutes. The
drivers should be at least 15 years old on August 16, 2007,
but drivers between 13-15 years old may be allowed to start
after a driving test is undertaken. A duly signed parental
authorization to participate is also required for the
youngsters.
It is a case of first in - first served, and entries close
on July 31, 2007. Entry fees are 209,000 baht per team, but
early booking (deadline June 30, 2007) is 189,000 baht per
team.
Further information can be obtained from the website
www.thailand24h.com or email [email protected]
I just wonder if there would be enough interest to field a
‘masters’ team? Suggested age 45 and up. If there are enough
of us ‘masters’, I’ll contact Christian and book us a kart!
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I mentioned that hill climbing is a very
specialized sport, in which one cannot make any mistakes, as
you are racing against the clock, rather than other
competitors. The first driver to be killed in practice for a
hill climb was in 1900. The first driver to be killed during
a hill climb was in 1903, and both were at the same venue. I
asked what was this course? The clue was Chitty Chitty Bang
Bangs! The course was La Turbie and Wilhelm Bauer was killed
there in practice in 1900. Three years later, Count Eliot
Zborowski, father of the creator of the Chitty Chitty Bang
Bangs was killed during the hill climb when he crashed his
Mercedes on the first of April (and it wasn’t an April
Fool’s joke either).
So to this week. Cars in movies. Everyone remembers The
Saint and Roger Moore’s Volvo P 1800, and the string of
Aston Martins run by a succession of James Bonds. However,
Toyota also built a car for a James Bond movie released in
1967. What was it?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct
answer to email [email protected].
Good luck!
Bikes in Bangkok Part 2
Last week I featured Alan Coates’ report on some of the
bikes on show at the Bangkok International Motor Show. This
is the second half.
Honda
CBR 1000RR Fireblade. The popular Fireblade has been uprated
in capacity in the last year to 1000 cc. Power is now 170
bhp at 11,250 rpm with a compression ratio of 11.9:1. Front
and rear suspensions are both fully adjustable. Layout is
conventional 4 cylinders across the frame with six speed
gearbox and fuel injection. The ‘blade’ is marketed as
having not only established a new standard for competitive
performance, but also for day-in and day-out riding. This
‘useability’ is intended to give riders greater confidence
to go faster on track and makes for an element of ease and
comfort on roads or even the daily commute
T-United
hybrid motorcycle
Fusion 250 Scooter. Definitely the most comfortable scooter
on show. 250 cc 4-stroke engine with continuously variable
transmission. At more than 2.25 metres overall length it
won’t cope with Pattaya or Chiang Mai traffic as easy as a
step through, but can accommodate all of the family in
comfort.
BMW
650 Xmoto - Urban. Agile handling thanks to compact geometry
and 17-inch wheels, zero surplus weight giving faster
acceleration out of the bend, drifting is not a problem: if
you want to explore the limits of this bike, make sure you
know your own first! There is a quality finish to this
machine, from the cockpit to the rear - featuring premium
components such as the upside-down forks or the eye-catching
- and very light - cast wheels. The single cylinder engine
is quick yet economical, with 53 bhp and 60 Nm of torque and
a catalytic converter ensuring the engine meets the
stringent EU-3 emissions laws. Optional extras include ABS.
Honda
Fusion
K1200 S - Sport. The hottest machine BMW Motorrad engineers
have ever produced for the road. The highly-tuned 4-cylinder
16V engine impressively demonstrates the state of the art in
engine technology producing167 bhp to give a zero to 100
km/h in 2.8 seconds and 130 Nm for 60 to140 km/h in 7.1
seconds. A low center of gravity gives excellent cornering
ability. Performance is supported by a chassis which is
unique in series production motorcycle design, with the BMW
Motorrad Duolever at the front and BMW Motorrad Paralever at
the rear. Optional extras include ABS and ESA (Electronic
Suspension Adjustment at the handlebar); motorcycles are
entering the high tech’ world enjoyed by some ‘cars.
BMW
1200 GT
K1200 GT - Tourer. The K 1200 GT has a state-of-the-art
motorcycle engine for the touring bike market with 155 bhp
and 130 Nm. The unique chassis features BMW’s Duolever
suspension and ESA (optional) with ABS and electronic brake
wear indicator as standard. Also fitted as original
equipment is anti-theft protection and heated seats. Such
features as automatic cruise control and an on-board
computer with oil level display or xenon lights are
available as optional extras. There is considerable storage
space and excellent wind and weather protection. This BMW
gives the rider and passenger comfortable long-distance
travel.
T-United Hybrid
This Chinese company is due to start manufacturing their
small capacity (60cc) hybrids in Thailand before the end of
the year. The unique construction of this little
step-through has a 350 watt electric motor driving the front
wheel and a 60 cc petrol engine driving the rear wheel.
There are three modes of operation, switchable on the
handlebar. Mode one is an electric only start, power to the
front from three 12v batteries under the foot well. Mode two
is petrol only driving the rear, start is by electric
starter or manual kick. The third mode is electric start
switching seamlessly, automatically to petrol drive at about
22 kph. This is a very interesting and promising development
in motorcycle technology. The young lady looked fairly
interesting too. And remember, this motorcycle is Chinese!
The full 99.99 percent
Received an interesting fax from local enthusiast
Peter Wehrli the other day. Full of snippets like Adrian
Newey left school when he was 16, and is now a highly
respected aerodynamic specialist. To me, this shows that
talent will out, just like Dr Porsche in the 1930’s, who was
another who did not complete formal schooling as a teenager.
Peter also said that the modern F1 car has around 80,000
parts and even assuming that 99.99 percent of these parts
work perfectly, that still leaves eight parts that can fail
and make the car a non-finisher. When you think about it,
it’s amazing they finish at all!
