Article from Gasgoo:

As a time-honored car brand of Chengdu city in southwest China, "Wild Horse" will be making a comeback in the auto market soon this year. The first SUV model based on the British Rover brand will roll off the production in Sichuan Auto at the end of this month. The Chengdu-made "Wild Horse" vehicle will be restored to its former glory after 10 years of silence.

http://www.gasgoo.com/resource/editor/Horse(1).jpg

The re-designed SUV, an old Chengdu car brand now built with new technologies and equipment from the British Rover, is black and soft-lined and has changed much in its interior and exterior features. The car measures 4,800mm long, 1,840mm wide, and 1,835 high, and can reach a top speed of 140km/h. It will roll out at the end of this month and will be mass-produced starting July. The selling price of this re-molded "Wild Horse" will be set at 100,000 yuan ($14,320).

Qingdao Etsong Group has spent 800 million yuan buying the tooling, production line equipment and complete technologies of four car models from British carmaker Rover Company. Sichuan Auto's joint venture with Etsong Group has used all these Rover equipment and technologies in its design and production of the new SUVs and other new vehicles.

In addition to the "Wild Horse" SUV, Sichuan Auto is also set to launch at the end of this year the "Chengdu-made CUV," which is smaller than Chery Tiggo and will go on sale for 70,000 yuan-100,000 yuan next year.

If Sichuan Auto is about to release a new Rover-based SUV at the end of this month, then why is it this gasgoo article displaying a photo of Yema's hackneyed Isuzu-based SUV, instead of the new model?

I'm looking forward to seeing photos of both the new models mentioned.

No, helas, this article is confusing many things.
Sichuan Auto (YEMA) restarted suv production in December 2004, announcing new models at the Chengdu Show. This is the car from the photo. Probably they use Austin machinery The line was bought from Etsong (Yizhong). The only Etsong car they made with this machinery was the Austin Maestro Van. I suppose a very limited production in 2004 or 2005. See the Yema SQJ6450 at http://www.chinacar.com.cn/pic/56258.html

Nothing like a cold, hard smack back to reality. I appreciate your comments, erik!

Here are other vehicles produced by Chuanqi Yema.

SQJ6470A:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358166.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358161.jpg


SQJ6485:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358156.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358151.jpg

New for 2008 is this copy of old Subaru Forester (SQJ6451):
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358174.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358170.jpg


Incarnation of Maestro van:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18940723.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18940724.jpg

Modified Maestro is called SQJ6450N:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358180.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358177.jpg

Company is also producing several busses:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358148.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13358145.jpg

Article about Sichuan Auto from Austin Rover Online.
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?yemaf.htm


The Chengdu-based Sichuan Auto Industry Group Company Ltd. has revived the old Maestro Van. The company purchased the tooling and production line equipment etc from FAW Group following the latter’s acquisition of the Etsong Automobile plant at Qingdao in Shandong Province where the Lubao QE6400), had been built.

Sichuan Auto, which produces buses and coaches under the Yema, brand, has now launched the Yema SQJ6450, a Maestro-based van with a 1.3-litre engine and a Montego front end which is similar to the later version of the Lubao, built by FAW Group before the Etsong Automobile plant was sold on to SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Company Limited. The first vans are appearing on the streets of Chengdu now but the company is, reportedly, developing a full range of cars based on the Maestro/Montego platform.

Yema have recently exhibited a five-door estate but AROnline cannot determine whether this uses a five-door Maestro or a Montego estate bodyshell from the picture available. Wheel arch extensions and a new front end attempt to achieve a smoother, more modern look, but the trademark side scallops remain unaltered.

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959597.jpg


Yema has also presented two SUV like cars which, despite looking very much like an old Subaru Forester, are said to be based on the old Austin platform. The shape of the windows on both cars suggests that larger parts of the original body frame have been carried over but a re-skin of the doors and new front panels mark a major departure form the original design. The smaller SQJ6451 features a 1.5-litre engine with 91bhp. This model’s wheelbase and door shapes indicate that it is based on the Maestro's structure. The larger SQJ6485 offers a DOHC 2.0-litre engine with 123bhp and a longer wheelbase.

Yema say that this model is also based on the British platform. The shots showing the side of this model suggest that a Montego saloon bodyshell has been used as the starting point.

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959599.jpg
The smaller SUV, SQJ6451


However, these Maestro/Montego based cars are not the only models which Yema has recently revealed - the small car (shown below) has some visual links with the Smart Four-Two, but also features partially enclosed wheels and may be aimed at the purely recreational off-road market. As discussed elsewhere, we'd say it's simply a case of the Chinese dusting off an old Matra prototype, and showing it off as their own...

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959596.jpg

A modified prototype of the SQJ6450 van:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959598.jpg

Estate car:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959595.jpg

Montego meets Allroad:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959600.jpg

The larger SUV, SQJ6485:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959601.jpg

Their cars looks horribly outdated and even if they look slightly up to date, they are mere copies. I am so hoping this company does not make it.

Their cars looks horribly outdated and even if they look slightly up to date, they are mere copies. I am so hoping this company does not make it.

agreed, this company doesnt stand a chance in china market as well as abroad

Interesting brand, there was a rumor they wanted to buy Hummer. They denied. This is their website (http://www.yemaauto.cn/products/6451/index.html).

I actually like the open wheel M72 and would rather be seen in its tough looking shell than in the flimsy looking Smart for two, or one of Smart's Chinese knockoffs like the Baoya.
Does anyone know which French product it is a clone of?
If Yema coupled the M72 with an all electric powertrain, they might have a nice little package to grab a bit of the new energy market with.

Some pictures of SQJ6451:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4f9360020100ctxc.html?tj=1


http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959607.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959609.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto10-foto_4219952_17470013_18959608.jpg

hello Martin, last week I visited Yema. When I am back in France I will write about the visit. Greetings, Erik

Looking forward to hearing from you.
This new Yema is main attraction and big news on many car-dedicated Internet sites.

Funny, they invited me to drive exactly this car. I had some problems with the paper lying on the floor: it is difficult braking with something not fixed under your feet.

Yema has yet another model up its sleeves. Based on the French Matra M72, this is an interesting little thing.
http://www.aronline.co.uk/images/yema_smart.jpg

Did they have licencing or is it yet another copy?

Interesting is how I'd put it, too.

see http://www.aronline.co.uk/ China watch: Alive, and not so well…; date Jun 29, 2009; on the news page.

Excellent article, Erik.

US-based company Global Green Cars is selling electric versions of Yema vehicles:
http://www.globalgreencars.com/home.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16382823.jpg
The G-1 is pollution-free and affordable.

The preliminary design criteria are posting this vehicle at a stunning $18,000. It will go 100 mph and has a device that holds you in your seat called the accelerator.

It is a Plug-In Electric Vehicle with a variety of ranges. We recognize that you have a wide range of needs for your vehicle. So we are offering a wide range of options for this vehicle.

85% of drivers travel less than 35 miles each way for work. The 100-mile range package would suffice for all this driving with plenty of global green miles to spare. The MSRP is $18,000.

10% of drivers travel up to 50 miles each way for work. The 160-mile range package would suffice for all this driving with plenty of global green miles to spare. The MSRP is $25,000.

5% of drivers want to go for days without recharging up to 250 miles. Although this has never been the design intention of electric cars, if you want to drive this far, we have a package for $30,000.

The vehicle has loads of legroom, headroom, and keeps you safe in a steel passenger compartment. Pick your wheels, your colors, your seats, and take advantage of two trunks, one in front and one in the rear.


http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16382771.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16382765.jpg

The G-2 is one of the most convertible Electric Vehicle ever built.

Yes, it looks like an SUV.

Actually, it is the fuel-less car for the in-town soccer mom and dad. It has a range of 100 miles in town and can reach speeds of 90 mph.

The car weighs just 3,300 pounds and looks great.

It is practical and affordable at $26,950 MSRP.

They are also selling G3 mini-truck definitely of Chinese origin.

I've bookmarked that site, something about those rigs appeal to me. Probably the 250-mile ranger, $30,000 minus the Obama $7,500 USD rebate for "green car" purchases. I'll check it out.

Thanks Martin!

Yema F99:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16655594.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16655588.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16655591.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-7-foto_4219952_15407128_16655597.jpg

source:
http://photo.bitauto.com/serialmore/2787/6/1

see http://www.aronline.co.uk/ China watch: Alive, and not so well…; date Jun 29, 2009; on the news page.

I'm a bit confused here Laofan. Can we conclude that the new Sichuan Auto (Yema) was in some way built on the ruins of the old Chengdu Auto Works, and has some of its old managers and workers?

No Dragin, Yema has nothing to do with the former Chengdu Auto Works. Yema was independently developed by Sichuan Auto, in the same period (1980s-1990s) as Chengdu Auto. Chengdu Auto just vanished, though there was a relationship with FAW and FAW-VW is now building a facility in the neighbourhood of Yema. Yes, I know it is complicated. Yema has a subfactory in Mianyang (engine factory) which is much more important than their car factory in Chengdu.

Thanks for clearing that up Laofan. The part you explained about a work action and the subsequent closing of the plant was especially interesting. Ssangyong workers should know how good they have it.

It's been a while since I have been to Chengdu and I never learned those important facts about its autmotive history.

Also found it very interesting that Global Green Cars of Kentucky USA has gone all the way inland to Chengdu to source cars that apparently it will refit with electric drivetrains.

I like the town of Chengdu.

And Mianyang seems to be a popular city for engine production. I believe that Brilliance also has an engine production plant there too, turning out about 100,000 annually.

Yema to produce three new cars next year

From China Car Times:
If you’re not familiar with Sichuan Yema then we will forgive you, as they are not particularly famous but they are famous for one thing; buying the ancient tooling for the Austin Maestro and building a Suburu Forrester replica on the Maestro platform.

Apparently, Sichuan Yema are planning to build three new cars in 2010 including a new mini car. Yema are a relative new comer to the car making game, however they are planning to set up a dealership network of 200 dealers in second tier cities around China within the next two years. It is these second tier cities that are driving the demand for cars in China at the moment, so perhaps Yema are doing something right. Yema’s new cars are going to sub 1.6l small cars, one of which will be a van.

Yema’s Forrester clone, the F99, launched earlier this year with a fair amount of press coverage, as such the factory producing the F99 has been working overtime to keep up with demand for the car according to the press, but Erik says otherwise.

CCT will keep you upto date with all Sichuan Yema’s happenings.

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190503.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190509.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190504.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190505.jpg
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/1/432753.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/1/432751.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/1/432750.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/1/432749.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/3/432822.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/12/432902.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/12/432868.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/12/432897.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190502.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190506.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190508.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-30-foto_4219952_17407155_18190507.jpg
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/10/432837.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/10/432834.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/10/432856.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/10/432857.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/3/432794.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/3/432798.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/6874/3/432796.html


pics at:
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series/939.htm

Sichuan Yema designers developed three new vehicles from F99 with new face and some other minor changes:
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201106/212534.html

F10:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18851992.jpg

F11:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18851990.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18851991.jpg

F12:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18851993.jpg

It's amazing what you can do with a Montego station wagon!

Even the Rover Group wasn't that creative in recycling!

Yeah, they're realy creative... :lol: I always wonder, how does it happen, that any big automotive company didn't sue chinese firms for plagiarism :rolleyes: I mean, I heard about it (eg. Panda case), but there's no result of it.

Well, there is a lot of result. You can find it here: http://www.chinesecars.net/index.php?page=59
greetings!

Thanks, Eric, I haven't known about that so far.

Yema F10:
http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877101.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877102.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877100.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877106.jpg

http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10448/12/1245993.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10448/12/1245998.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10448/12/1246019.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10448/10/1245923.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10448/3/1246068.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877099.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877098.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877105.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/avto9-foto_4219952_17461972_18877103.jpg


source:
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series-s10448/2378.html

F16 which looks like the Audi A4:
http://auto.sohu.com/20110906/n318420343.shtml


http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17470013_19019192/avto10/19019192.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17470013_19019189/avto10/19019189.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17470013_19019191/avto10/19019191.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17470013_19019188/avto10/19019188.jpg

Based on the Austin Maestro? ;) Quite hopeless, these wannabe Audi A4 Avants, Subaru Foresters and Kia Sportages.

Do the Chinese see the difference between real Audis and Yemas, or between Subarus and Yemas? Or is it just the matter of price?

Yema brought several cars to Chengdu Auto Show.

F16 a.k.a. Audi A4:
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series/2440.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043496/avto11/19043496.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043497/avto11/19043497.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043495/avto11/19043495.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043494/avto11/19043494.jpg

http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10916/12/1333607.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10916/12/1333604.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10916/12/1333599.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10916/3/1333594.html

E-series (Infiniti)
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series/2442.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043499/avto11/19043499.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043498/avto11/19043498.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043500/avto11/19043500.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043501/avto11/19043501.jpg

http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10915/12/1333620.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10915/12/1333628.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10915/12/1333625.html

'Tiguan' SUV (with rear light from Touareg)
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series/2441.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043502/avto11/19043502.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043505/avto11/19043505.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043503/avto11/19043503.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19043504/avto11/19043504.jpg

http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10917/12/1333637.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10917/12/1333638.html
http://car.autohome.com.cn/photo/series/10917/12/1333643.html

They're incredible :eek:
Any idea, what's the volume of their sales?

Those are just concepts at the moment. And I seriously doubt they will ever see the production.

Production numbers of Yema (they produce only the F99): 2008: 1.152, 2009: 1.319, 2010: 4.600. For 2011 I expect a figure of 11.000.

Not so many units :rolleyes: but, as I can see, the production and offer keep developing

Yema F12
http://db.auto.sohu.com/201105/model_3357.html


http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19046181/avto11/19046181.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19046182/avto11/19046182.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19046180/avto11/19046180.jpg

http://s2.mojalbum.com/4219952_17476962_19046179/avto11/19046179.jpg

Presentation of Yema at Autohome (in Chinese)
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201110/249104.html