Two-wheeler maker LML Ltd seems to be close to finalising a strategic partner in the company. Industry sources tracking the development say that Chinese automotive major Lifan, which has been attempting to script an entry into the Indian market for a couple of years now, is learnt to have entered into negotiations with LML to purchase the latter's two-wheeler assets.
LML officials, however, declined to comment on the matter when contacted. Earlier, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which is looking to make a foray into the two-wheeler market, was rumoured to be conducting due diligence for buying LML's assets.
Denies due diligence

LML had, however, officially denied that M&M was conducting due diligence to purchase the plant. Sources point out that M&M is most likely to go it alone to set up its two-wheeler project. According to market watchers, the company is most likely to set up its motorcycles assembly facility adjacent to its three-wheeler plant in Haridwar. They added that M&M has finalised three engine options for its motorcycles.

Stock up by 50 pc
In anticipation of a tie-up, the LML scrip, which hit its 52-week low of Rs 30 on April 28, has jumped by almost 50 per cent since then to close at Rs 43 on the BSE on Friday. The company's promoters had recently issued equity shares to Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Espana S.A and Credit Suisse (Singapore) Ltd.

It is really??

yup, according to the article...chinese cars are moving up :)

Ministry Of Commerce Of The P.r.c Announced The List Of Import &export Companies In 2005— Lifan Got Its Title On The Board

Recently Ministry Of Commerce Of The P.r.c Announced The Top 500 Enterprises With Maximum Import&export Amount And Top 200 Enterprises With Maximum Export Amount. In This List, The Standards And Average Scale Of Enterprises Have Been Upgraded; More Energy, Machinery And High-tech Enterprises Ranked Ahead; Most Companies Come From Coastal Areas; Foreign –invested Companies Played A Leading Role.
Besides Ministry Of Commerce Of The P.r.c Announced The List Of Top 100 Chinese Private-owned Enterprises And Top 100 Chinese Enterprises With Maximum Export Amount. Chongqing Lifan Industry (group) Imp&exp Co., Ltd Was Listed On The Board; The Import&export Amount Ranked The 41st And Export Amount Ranked 18th.

welcome to CCF nirvanaxj :)

Lifan puts 5 year 100,000km guarantee on all models!

Lifan have been in the auto making game for a mere two years, and already they are starting to threaten their larger rivals. To boost sales, Lifan previously offered all car buyers in 2008 free maintenance for a period of 2 years, or 35,000km, which ever comes first. In addition to that rather generous offer, Lifan has offered 2008 buyers a five year guarantee on its products, upto 100,000km.

The market in which Lifan is situated (40,000 to 90,000rmb market) is a cut throat area, there are a plethora of cars in that sector from domestic brands (Chery, FAW, Geely etc), and foreign brands (Nissan, and Suzuki both make sub 100k cars for Chinese consumers). So Lifan really needs to stand out from the crowd, both with its products, and services.

If anyone was to buy a Lifan car this year, they are sure to be well looked after by the Lifan sales and services team, who have strenghted their service network across the PRC.

source: China Car Times

American investment Co. buys 25% of Lifan.

In recent years there has been a trend of Chinese companies buying up ailing western companies, there was Nanjing MG and Rover, Chinese banks buying stakes in Barclays bank, and then the Indians were at it too; The British company, Corus Steel was taken over by an Indian billionaire - its a reverse colonization of sorts, instead of moving people in, you move your money in, it becomes an economic empire.

Recently the American insurer, AIG, bought a 25% stake in Lifan reversing the above trend. Lifan plans to IPO on the (Shanghai) A-market soon, with hopes of raising an extra 1 billion RMB to fund their extensive plans for taking their cars to all corners of the world. Lifan is planning on increasing their production capacity to 500,000 vehicles per year by 2010, this year they plan on making a more modest 60,000 vehicles for the domestic markets. Lifans second plant in Chongqing will be churning out cars later this year.

source: China Car Times

China's Lifan expects to sell 800 cars in Peru in 2008.

May 16, 2008 - Privately-owned Chinese motorcycle-maker Chongqing Lifan has officially started to sell its own brand sedans in Peru and it is expecting 800 units will be sold by the end of this year.

Yang Ding, Lifan's representative in Peru, said the automaker began the trial sale of its Lifan 520 sedan early in February. To date, 150 units have been sold off, an impressive achievement compared with other Chinese brands sold in the Peri market.

Powered either by natural gas or fuel, the Lifan 520 mainly targets Peri's local taxi market. Lifan will offer its customers a two-year or 50,000km new vehicle warranty in Peru.

Local sales agency Altos Andes will act as Lifan's distributor in Peru. Altos Andes is the exclusive distributor of South Korea automaker SsangYong, and last year it sold 410 SsangYong vehicles in Peru.

Currently Lifan exports vehicles and motors to some 50 countries worldwide. Last year the company sold 49,809 Lifan 520 cars in China and it aims to sell 80,000 units in 2008.

source: Gasgoo.com

China's Lifan opens first dealership in Nepal.

July 24, 2008 - Chinese motorcycle and automotive manufacturer Lifan Group has opened its first authorized dealership in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.

China's ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin attended the launching ceremony for the store. About 20 Lifan vehicles will be sold locally in the first stage.

Currently Japanese and Indian brand cars capture most of the auto market in Nepal. Chinese automakers including Chery, Geely, Zotye and Great Wall also sell vehicles in the country.

Lifan is expanding aggressively in the Southeast Asia region, where the Chinese carmaker also plans to invest US$50 million in a factory that would be capable of producing 50,000 cars per year.

http://www.gasgoo.com/resource/editor/Lifan%20dealer%20in%20Nepal.jpg
From:Gasgoo.com

Lifan Group to invest 1 bln yuan in minibus project.

July 28, 2008 - China's motorcycle and automotive maker, Lifan Group recently announced the company has launched the minibus project officially with a total investment of 1 billion yuan ($147 million), according to autosina.com. The project is expected to start production in September 2009.

The new minibus facility will be located at Bishan County of Chongqing, covering about 6,000 square meters with a total investment of 1 billion yuan. The plant will achieve an annual production capacity of 150,000 to 200,000 units after its construction is finished. More than that, the 1.8 billion yuan engine factory by Lifan is also started and is expected to be completed next year.

The new minibus facility is reportedly an all-new project by Lifan Group with its own independent investment. Its own-made minibuses will be the major products to be made at this facility ranging from mini passenger vans to mini-trucks.

A brand new 1.3L engine made by Lifan will power the first minibus model. The powerplant, boasting high output and low fuel consumption, is different from that of similar vehicles in the market. The new model is expected to go on sale in September 2009.

Several days ago, Lifan Group signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with the AIG which paved the way for Lifan's planned IPO and will see the two parties collaborate in passenger car, engine, motorcycle and foreign business.

Lifan aims to add 4.5 billion yuan to its investment and to target an annual capacity of 400,000 to 500,000 units by 2015.

http://www.gasgoo.com/resource/editor/%E5%8A%9B%E5%B8%86%E5%BE%AE%E8%BD%A6%E7%94%9F%E4%B A%A7%E5%9F%BA%E5%9C%B0%E9%B8%9F%E7%9E%B0%E5%9B%BE. jpg
source: Gasgoo.com

wow a big investment there.

its a start


Chinese, Korean cars make a dent in local market
By Elaine Ruzul S. Ramos

Market leader Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. said yesterday it expects sales growth to slow down further next year as the influx of cheaper Chinese and Korean cars continue to take its toll on more pricey Japanese automotive brands.

Daniel Isla, first vice president for marketing and sales, said full-year sales this year would grow close to 10 percent, slower than the 18-percent year-on-year rate in 2007.

“We are targeting this year full-year sales to hit close to 10 percent,” he said.

Toyota last year sold 45,091 units, up 18 percent from 38,258 units in 2006.

“We have targeted a modest growth between 3 and 5 percent for next year. The entry of cheaper models from China and Korea has expanded the domestic market. We always welcome competition because it makes us work harder,” said Isla.

He said the entire industry had posted double-digit growth year-to-date but Chinese and Korean brands had been steadily eating into the respective market shares of the more expensive Japanese, American and European passenger cars.

Hyundai Asia Resources, local distributor of the Korean car, has displaced established brands like US-based Ford Motor Co. in terms of sales. It ranked fifth in the latest report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. with a 5,064 units sold and a corresponding market share of 6.9 percent in the first seven months of the year.

Another Korean brand, Kia, has been introduced in the Philippines since the 1990s.

Chery Automobile, China’s biggest homegrown automaker, opened its first dealership in the Philippines in September last year. Other Chinese cars that will be launched in the Philippines this year are Lifan, Foton, Chana, Kama, Jac and Chang-An.

Toyota still leads the market with 26,414 units sold from January to July and a market share of 36 percent.

“The market is shifting to low displacement engines. Sales of big sports utility vehicles now are affected by high fuel costs. At Toyota, we always advertise our technology, of fuel-efficient engines that we have in our vehicles,” said Isla.

Sales of Toyota’s sub-compact vehicle Vios, he added, remained strong with the shift in market preference for vehicles with smaller engines.

Its multi-purpose vehicle, Innova, which is diesel-fed, is also one of its best-selling models amid its quality, performance and durability.
.manilastandardtoday.com

Kenya: New Car Model Enters the Kenyan Market

17 August 2008


Nairobi

A new brand of car, the Lifan 520, has entered the Kenyan market.

The model is expected to inject competition in the 1300 -1600 cc class of saloon cars where pricing is crucial.

Retailing at Sh995,000, it has a two-year warranty and is being launched by Auto Mart Ltd, a member of the Associated Motors Group.

Kenya joins the league of 50 countries to which the Lifan has been exported.

The car has also been marketed in France, Germany, Algeria, Nigeria, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Iran among others.

It boasts of 18-20 km per litre to the fuel. Other features include front airbags, ABS braking and power steering.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200808180032.html

The car has also been marketed in France, Germany

I never heard that Lian 520 is on sale in Europe :confused:

lol ye I am surprised when I read up to that bit as well.

The Lifan 520 is an unauthorised reverse-engineered copy of the Citroen ZX. If anyone tried to sell it in Europe, Citroen would sue them.

Hello Gag Halfrunt, are you working for Citroen??

LIFAN enters Lybian market.
LIFAN cars made a first appearance in the 37th “Tarabulus international exhibition” on April 2nd, 2008.

LF520 with national engine of 1.3L appeared in exhibition impressively and obtained highly attention and appraisal which attracted visitors in and endless stream. Huang Jiemin, Chinese ambassador to Libya, appeared in person for visiting and directing.

It was acknowledged that there was no exclusive agency in Libya of LIFAN. LIFAN planed to raise recognition in Libya depending on Tarabulus international exhibition, preparing for entering into Libya market.
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13408825.jpg


LIFAN Auto Landed in Peru.
Recently, LIFAN auto has landed in Peru and went into the market formally. The main type sold in Peru is LF520 of gasoline and CNG. The sales representative in Peru is ALTOS ANDES who represents for many international auto manufacturers, SSANGYONG MOTOR of which sold 410 units in total last year and gained excellent achievement in Peru. ALTOS ANDES was confident for LIFAN cars in Peru and respected to finish 800 units in 2008.

Yang Ding, delegate from LIFAN in Peru said, for best carrying the Peru market, LIFAN was trying to sell cars in February without any advertisement and finished the sales of 150 units, which was a good achievement for LIFAN compared with other Chinese brands which only finished the sales of more than 100 units within one year. The purpose of LIFAN was to mark the first among the Chinese brands in Peru.

LF520 of gasoline and CNG are mainly facing taxi market in Peru. LIFAN designed particularly depending on Peru market because the policy of spreading CNG and offered warranty of two years or 50,000 km. LIFAN as symbolic enterprise in Chinese motors and motorcycles exported in forty countries and beyond fifty at the end of this year. In South America, LIFAN cars were exported in Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. They were preparing for certification in Brazil and Argentina and entered in a short time.
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-5-foto_4219952_13082292_13408820.jpg
source: Lifan.com

http://www.rbcdaily.ru/2008/09/18/cnews/380594

Can someone please translate this ?

Hello Gag Halfrunt, are you working for Citroen??
No, I don't work for Citroen. :) I was just remembering what I'd read on Citroenet - I'd include a link, but I haven't got enough posts to earn the privilege yet.

http://www.rbcdaily.ru/2008/09/18/cnews/380594

Can someone please translate this ?

Uncle Google translated article as following:
In Russia come three new models of Chinese brands Lifan

At the end of August at the Moscow International Motor Show official distributor of Lifan cars in Russia GK «Autoworld» introduced a novelty - hetchbek Lifan Breez. In addition to his stand of Chinese brands presented two more concept: a mini-car Lifan 320 sedan and medium Lifan 620. According to the RBC daily in GK «Autoworld», start sales hetchbeka Breez is scheduled for October, a serial version concept karov likely to see the light in 2009.

Lifan Breez equipped with engines 1.3 and 1.6 liters and output of 89 and 106 hp respectively. The car is equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), as well as automatic door locking at speeds of 15-20 km / h and sensor accidental disconnection relay fuel pump. In the basic version includes air conditioning, front airbags, power steering, electric front and rear glazing, central locking and rear elektrozerkala species.

Managing Director exclusive distributor in Russia Lifan Company «Eastern» (included in the CC «Autoworld») Eugene Mezhov said in an interview with RBC daily, that the official price of hetchbek Breez will be announced closer to the start of sales, which are scheduled for next month. But now you can predict that the cost base instrument would not exceed 300 thousand rubles.

The emergence of Chinese brands in the Russian market is due to sign in early 2007 tripartite treaty between Lifan, GK «Autoworld» and plant «Derveys». Assembling sedans happening at the plant «Derveys» in the city of Cherkessk, and the sale of cars through the dealer network in over 40 cities of Russia. According to Eugenia Mezhova, precisely the same pattern will occur subsequent withdrawal Lifan new products in Russia, including hatchbck Breez.

Another novelty after hetchbeka Lifan in the Russian market could be 620 sedan, which in size is intermediate between the small middle class and middle-class S D (on the European classification). «Series 620 sedan is likely to appear in Russia as early as next year - said Eugene Mezhov. — It will compete with Vortex Estina (former Chery Fora. - RBC daily) assembled by TagAZa. In order for the 620-I model to compete with sedans Vortex Estina value of 379 900 rubles. Should be put lower prices ».

Good prospects to become another serial model Lifan 320 has a compact design. Appearance new items like Mini, but not a full copy of the famous exterior avtomobilchika. According to Eugenia Mezhova to serial car used in demand in the domestic market, its value to the initial estimate should be in the range of 10-11 U.S. dollars

Great to hear this. Before I bought a Lifan motorcycle and so far it's nice.

Lifan signs up for the 6-speed Antonov TX6.

Antonov has secured its first customer for its new Antonov TX6 6-speed automatic transmission: Chinese automaker Lifan Motors. Antonov had earlier demonstrated a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 with the TX6 transmission installed to 7 potential customers and so far Lifan has bit. Geely is also showing strong interest in the transmission.

The TX6 can handle up to 260Nm of torque and is suitable for engine sizes from 1.5 liters up to 2.5 liters. It is produced in China exclusively for the Chinese automaker market but will be made available worldwide in the long term. It can shift from any gear to any gear, thus you can downshift 2 to 3 gears at once without delay. Also, a torque converter is not used but instead an indirect brake is used to launch, similiar to Japanese CVTs. The AMG Speedshift-MCT transmission is another planetary gearbox that does not use a torque converter to start up, instead it uses a start-up clutch.

Someone should tell Youngman that more gear ratios to keep the rev needle at an optimum rev band more often would do wonders for the odd torque curve of the Campro engines found in its Europestar RCR (rebadged GEN2) and Europestar Jingyue (rebadged Persona).

Technical diagrams of the TX6:
http://paultan.org/archives/2008/12/05/lifan-signs-up-for-the-6-speed-antonov-tx6/

Lifan enters Greek market:
http://es.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/lifan-desembarca-silenciosamente-en-grecia/


With little publicity, Lifan has entered the Greek market with the 520, a compact sedan and affordable. At present only a gasoline engine and a gearbox, but more will arrive later variants.

The initial bet of Lifan, China Motors distributed by Greece, is based on 520 Sedan equipped with engine 1.3 i 16v of 88 hp and five-speed change. The best thing is the price, only € 8950 serial counting on a good team that includes ABS + EBD, dual airbags, power package, air conditioning, sound equipment and power steering.

I saw the 520 and the 520i at the Bologna Motor Show, in December.

http://www.leblogauto.com/2008/12/motorshow-bologne-2008-live-martin-motors.html

If Lifan had any plan of going to Europe, they'll make a big statement. So, my guess is that Marton Motors bought some unsold Lifan in a dealership and brought them to Europe, in order to get some publicity after the Martin Bubble fiasco.

China's Lifan targets Philippine sedan market.

January 19, 2009 - Lifan, a Chinese car brand that is already in over 50 countries, will start to make its presence felt in the Philippine market where it launches its LF520 mid-size sedan on Friday.

Lifan Cars, a unit of conglomerate Lifan Group with operations in the financial and banking sector, real estate, football, and research and development, is confident of enjoying commercial success in the Philippine market "given the preference of Filipino car buyers to quality but more affordable vehicles," said its president Nelson Ong. The company is already present in countries in Latin America and in Europe.

Ong, in a statement, said Lifan Cars expects to be a major player in the car sector in the long run as the company plans to expand its product portfolio in the Philippine market.

Lifan Cars plans to introduce at least three car models this year and will open its first showroom in the country on West Avenue in Quezon City on Friday.

The LF520, which is already being sold in 20 countries including Russia, Vietnam, Iran, Chile and Venezuela, will be the first model that will be introduced here.

"One major consideration for Lifan's entry into the market is the availability of a good market. We believe that it will appeal to the young urban professionals and younger car enthusiasts, who comprise a large chunk of buyers in the local market," Lifan Cars general manager William Agcaoili said.

On top of their good design, Agcaoili said Lifan cars are equipped with powerful engines designed by United Kingdom-based engineering designs firm Ricardo Plc. Lifan autos are also said to be trendy and price-competitive.

The Lifan Group has long been engaged in the production of trucks, buses, motorcycles and car engines in China. It ventured into automobile production after seeing the growing demand for quality but affordable vehicles not only in the mainland but also in the global market.

In 2007, it was the market leader with sales revenues amounting to RMB 12.16 billion and export reaching $409.60 million.

Lifan Cars is the third Chinese brand to enter the car market, after Chery and Chana.
gasgoo.com

Lifan Cars Phils already selling their cars in the Phils and they're planning of introducing three more products this year and right now they're finding more dealer partners!:lol:

"Good morning, Manila!" That was the first sentence from Wang Juhui, a representative from China-based Lifan Motors, at the launch of the auto brand's first showroom in the Philippines' capital of Metro Manila.

With the young and energetic assistant general manager, there came the LF520 mid-size sedan, a car model exported to more than 50 other countries, including Australia, Germany, Spain, Russia, Vietnam, Iran, Chile and Venezuela.

Dubbing LF520 as a "World Car," Wang said that the engine was designed by the renowned automobile design firm Ricardo Plc. Based in the United Kingdom. And Italian designers were employed by the manufacturer so that the model became top of the line in the looks department.

"We want to keep the design of the car sleek and stylish to appeal to the young at heart. It is loaded with features that will definitely appeal to the adventurous spirit," said William Agcaoili, general manager of Lifan Cars Philippines, the manufacturer's partner in the Philippines.

Lifan Motors, a motorcycle manufacturer-turned car company like Honda, entered the global passenger car industry in March 2007 with the release of the LF520 in Vietnam. In 2008, the company sold over 20,000 units in markets outside China.

Today, it "sailed" to the Philippine archipelago to seek new opportunities. As explained, the Lifan logo means "powerful sailing boat."

Last year, the Philippines posted a 5.6-percent growth of auto sales despite the global financial crisis. The sales reached 124,449 units in 2008, compared to the previous year's 117,903.

"We are bringing the LF520 in the Philippines so that Filipinos can also enjoy our world-class vehicle which is priced more affordably," said Nelson Ong, president of Lifan Cars Philippines.

The price is expected to be set around 500,000 pesos (10,600 U.S. dollars) for the 1.3-litre model.

"We sell the cars at very, very affordable prices," said Agcaoili, when talking about what is the Chinese brand's competitive edge to grab a share in the market dominated by Japanese cars.

Meanwhile, the quality, safety and comfort of the vehicles will not compromised, he added.

Ong believes that his company will enjoy commercial success in the Philippine market.

"We are confident that the entry of Lifan Motors will help revitalize the local domestic industry as it gives car buyers more choices," he said.

Besides the LF520, Lifan plans to introduce three more models to the local market this year, namely, LF320, LF620 and a sports utility vehicle.

"We believe that it will appeal to the young urban professionals and younger car enthusiasts, which comprises a large chunk of buyers in the local market," Agcaoili said.

However, Lifan sets a sales goal of no more than 1,000 units for this year.

"To buy a car is quite a big deal, so many customers will take a wait-and-see attitude, especially when it comes to a new brand," said Wang.

"But the sales volume will go up as Filipino buyers find confidence in our products," said the smiling Chinese businessman.

January 31, 2009, gasgoo.com

Lifan Auto to launch first minivan model in 2010.

February 23, 2009 - Chongqing Lifan Automobile Co will begin to launch its first minivan model next year, the Beijing Times reported Monday, citing an informed company source.

The upcoming minivan is likely to be powered by a 1.3L engine and will carry a retail price of 40,000 yuan ($5,853), according to the report.

The company started construction of a 1-billion-yuan minivan facility last July in Chongqing. This facility is set to achieve an annual output capacity of 150,000 to 200,000 units after production starts this September.

Lifan, which has made a name for itself as maker of motorcycles as well as truck and bus engines, began automobile production in 2006 in China responding to the then global demand for quality but affordable vehicles.

from Gasgoo.com

Lifan Auto secures $200 mln global orders

March 13, 2009

Shanghai, March 13 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese carmaker Chongqing Lifan Automobile Co announced it has signed deals valued about $200 million with more than 100 distributor and dealers from 27 countries, xihuanet.com said today.

Yin Mingshan, founder and head of the Lifan Group, said Lifan Auto plans to speed up its expansion in the overseas markets.

Though faced with the global financial crisis, Lifan Auto exported about 20,000 vehicles to 53 countries in 2008, up 279% year on year(y/y), with sedan exports up 286.48% y/y. The automaker ranked No. 3 spot among Chinese private carmakers in last year's exports.



Lifan Auto has completed the construction of CKD assembling plants in Russia, Vietnam, and Iran, and SKD assembling plant in Ethiopia. The carmaker is also set to finish its Uruguay CKD plant, its fifth overseas plant for exploring South American market, by the end of this year.

Lifan Auto, founded in 1991, started as a motorcycle company and now has the capacity to produce 2.5 million motorcycle engines and 1 million motorcycles annually. In August 2003 Lifan announced its intent to enter the automotive sector. In early 2006 Lifan produced its first passenger car, the Lifan 520.

http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1009635/Lifan-Auto-secures-200-mln-global-orders.html

Antonov goes together with Lifan.
Finally!
Antonov plc has signed a cooperation agreement with China Chong Quing Landai Industries Co. Ltd. Ltd. Together they will invest up to € 2 million in new development projects with other manufacturers, including Lifan. The Chinese Lifan it participates in the construction of prototype demonstration vehicles.

That was last Tuesday announced. The agreement ensures that Lifan in the engineering program will involve the Antonov TX-6 automatic gearbox to produce. The first step is Antonov to the TX-6 prototype in two Lifan cars to build. It is expected that six months will take, writes fd.nl.

At the end of March was a collaboration announced in Sichuan Jianghan Industrial Group Co Ltd.

source:
http://www.autoblog.nl/archive/2009/06/04/antonov-gaat-samen-met-lifan-produceren


The First 4S Store of Lifan Motors Opened in Syria
As reported from Xinhua News Agency in Damascus on May 31st, the first 4S store of Lifan Motors in Syria held an opening ceremony. Secretary of Syrian Transportation Mr. Belder and Chinese Ambassador in Syria Mr. Li Huaxin cut the ribbon together.

As reported, the 4S store is located at Harasta automobile sales center which is 30km far away from Damascus, the capital of Syria. The marketing hall of Lifan Motors is the one with long history and high fame popularity of which the area is over 800 m2 owning dedicated sales center, after-sales service center, reception center and so on. And the area of after-sales service station is over 1000 m2 which owns complete maintenance equipment.

Lifan Motors announced 4 models during the opening ceremony, they were Lifan620, Lifan520, Lifan520i and Lifan320 covering three series of A0 class, A class and B class which all met the requirements of consumers in Syrian market. Besides, LIFAN is busy preparing to introduce minivan, SUV, MPV and ACS to Syrian market gradually. Introduced by Mark Timber, the vice president of Lifan Group, ALSULTAN Group is the general distributor of Lifan Motors in Syria. Since the signature of exclusive distributor agreement in November 2008, ALSULTAN has established 13 regional distributors and after-sales service platforms and established the first 4S store of Lifan Motors. Meanwhile, ALSULTAN plans to establish LIFAN 4S stores in Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria and Holmes, the third largest city in Syria including 2S and 3S stores established by secondary distributors. Lifan Motors has completed establishing 15 sales and service network in all. Mark Timber said, with the establishment of 3 4S stores and 13 regional distributors, Lifan Motors will have a complete marketing and after-sales service platform and network in Syria. Therefore, the completion of 4S store symbols that Chinese national sedan brand has reached a new start and height. So far, nearly 1200 Lifan cars have been sold in Syria and Lifan Motors plans to sell over 10,000 cars in Middle East this year and 30,000 in next 3 years.

The ceremony is very passionate that Ambassador Mr. Li Huaxin and secretary Belder actively test drove Lifan620, Lifan320, Lifan520 and Lifan520i. They were interviewed by many Medias. They gave a high praise to the pattern, appearance, inner trim and workmanship of Lifan cars and also much appreciated the outstanding work of ALSULTAN Group. As learned, LIFAN plans to establish automobile assembly plant in Syria to export LIFAN cars to another country.

source: lifan.com

Lifan Auto secures $14-mln contract from Philippines

August 12, 2009
Lifan Group, one of China's biggest motorcycle makers and now diversified into car production, has secured a 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) contract from the Philippines government for its 520 sedans, the Shanghai Securities News reports Wednesday.

This contract is the largest deal Lifan has ever won in its history. Under the contract, Lifan will export 2,000 units of its 520 sedan to the country to be used as taxis.

The mid-class 520 sedans are powered by either a 1.3-liter engine or a 1.6-liter engine and Lifan said it sells at about $10,600 in Philippines market, much cheaper than other imported models sold in the country.

The company has set up 10 sales offices in the Philippines in partnership with a Filipino vehicle importing firm.

source: Gasgoo.com

Nice, good to hear the good news for them!

the Lifan 520 will be used as taxis in Visayas and Mindanao, south of the Philippines. Can't wait to see the 620 here.

Lifan completed construction of assembly plant in Uruguay. Vehicles build there will be exported to Brasilian market also.
http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br/lifan-constroi-fabrica-no-uruguai-e-aposta-alto-no-mercado-brasileiro/

Since Lifan Group went in for sedan manufacturing, overseas plants building has always been its key strategy. From 2007, Lifan has marked out the great blueprint for establishing assembly plants worldwide in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Automobile assembly plants have been established in Vietnam, Russia, Iran, Ethiopia and Azerbaijan in succession. Recently, the assembly plant in Uruguay of Lifan Motors has been built and put into production.

The design capacity of the assembly plant in Uruguay of Lifan Motors is 40,000 units. The plant mainly assembling Lifan320 and Lifan620. The first batch units are estimated to offline at the end of April.

The plant in Uruguay of Lifan Motors has been greatly supported by local government which is also a fabulous achievement for Chinese brand at abroad. Lifan person says, Lifan Motors will make full use of FTA (Free Trade Agreement) signed in Uruguay and South American countries to enter South American Common Market—MERCOSUR.

Lifan brand entered Peru. The Chinese company will offer their complete range of vehicles. Lifan 320 will sell from $4,190,000 to $4,990,000 in four trim levels. Air conditioning is not standard in basic models. The selling price of Lifan 520 which is powered by 1.3 or 1.5 l engines ranges between $4,490,000 and $4,990,000. The most expensive car is Lifan 620 which costs $6,690,000 and offers among others dual airbags, ABS with EBD, AC and rear parking sensors.
In the second half of 2010 Lifan will also launch minivan. All vehicles have a 2 years or 50,000 km warranty and a road assistance service throughout the warranty period.

http://www.autocosmos.cl/noticias/23498/lifan-320-llego-a-chile-en-cuatro-versiones.aspx


http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-14-foto_4219952_17393070_17918323.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-14-foto_4219952_17393070_17918324.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-14-foto_4219952_17393070_17918325.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-14-foto_4219952_17393070_17918326.jpg

Is the minivan produced yet?

I can't find any information on it.

Apart from that, here's an article about Lifan in Chile:
http://www.leblogauto.com/2010/06/lifan-veut-faire-le-forcing-au-chili-et-au-perou.html

Lifan and Subaru in talks over possible JV

From China Car Times:
The rumors of who Subaru are planning to work with in the Chinese market to build a new joint venture partnership are getting out of hand, first it was Ford’s partner in JMC, then BAIC, SAIC, FAW, and a whole host of other acronym-ed named auto makers, the latest to be added to this list is Chongqing’s own Lifan.

Lifan are currently making the 320, 520 and 520 models for the Chinese market, and has its own engine range. Its not entirely clear what Lifan might bring to Subaru that Subaru cannot get from larger state owned manufacturers, but one guess might be cheap land and an existing factory.

Lifan is one of the stronger engine exporters and is a major motorbike manufacturer, it is also a privately owned company that is yet to IPO.

Hello. Does anybody know, are new deliveries of cars of Lifan planned to Ukraine?

Contraband from Russia only, IMHO :D

Is it true that Lifan is establishing KD plant in Russia？and what is the custom duty for spare parts and for complete unit vehicle?

Derways produces Lifan cars in Russia. Derways Site (http://www.derways.ru)

Lifan returns back to the Ukrainian market, seriously and permanently.

Bogdan Corporation and China's Chongqing Lifan Industry (Group) signed a long-term contract for exclusive distribution of the whole range of vehicles Lifan in Ukraine.

As reported by Interfax-Ukraine "press-secretary Sergey Krasulya Corporation, in the second quarter of this year in sales and service network," Bogdan "will begin selling and servicing cars. Sales plan for the current year provides for the implementation of about 750 cars under the brand name "Lifan".

Source: http://ukrautoprom.com.ua/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=594&Item%20id=1

Lifan's Iraqi knockdown factory officially opens


June 08, 2011
Lifan Automobiles's knockdown factory in Iraq has officially begun operating earlier this week, auto.sohu.com reported today. Lifan, one of China's leading motorcycle manufacturers, has already established similar factories in Vietnam, Ethiopia, Russia and Uruguay, among other countries.

Lifan has been selling vehicles in the Middle East for several years now, with its Iraqi partner Zamazam Spring covering 60 percent of the country's market. Zamazam Spring has sold over 2,000 vehicles since 2009.

Lifan begun its international venture in 2007, and now has sales branches in Australia, Germany, Russia, Brazil and over 50 other countries. Its businesses overseas have helped net Lifan over 60,000 in sales.

http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china-news/lifan-s-iraqi-knockdown-factory-officially-opens-110608.shtml