GAC Trumpchi GS4, Qizhi PHEV, Yuejie, Shirui, ix4

[ausrutherford]

What is the point of all these when they are still badged as a GAC...?

[dmitra]

I guess it has more to do with compliance and less to do with any desired sales by these joint ventures. GAC's foreign partners all have some large models in their lineup so this is one way to show the local govt. that they are working towards clean vehicles, and also reduce the corporate average fuel consumption, at least on paper. See the last paragraph of this article, earlier referenced in post #24.

As to why they did not change the logo to their own, I have no idea: maybe some clause in the partnership agreement?

[Lawrence]

Here are a couple of article excerpts that might shed some light on the situation of JV sub- brands, bearing the Chinese partner's logo:

From gasgoo.com on 3/22/11
Mike Dunne, president of Dunne & Co, an industry consultancy, said: “Nothing is written down, but when automakers go to apply for capacity expansion, in their application it’s clear that they should have a plan for an indigenous brand with jointly owned product rights and some provision for new energy vehicles. Foreigners want more capacity; China is saying: ‘We want more own brands’.”

From Yang Jian, of Automotive News China, on 5/24/12 :
...China's government concluded that its domestic automakers needed more access to foreign technology. Beijing told global automakers they would have to do 3 things:
1. Create new brands for their Chinese joint ventures.
2. Establish r&d facilities for the joint ventures.
3. Add electric vehicles to the joint ventures' product lineups.

[dmitra]

Originally Posted by Lawrence

Here are a couple of article excerpts that might shed some light on the situation of JV sub- brands, bearing the Chinese partner's logo:

The Qizhi PHEV, Qizhi EV (GE3), Yuejie, Shidai and ix4 are not under any JV sub-brand. If that were so, the Shidai would have been under Everus and the ix4 under Leahead. Moreover, JV sub-brands like Everus and Leahead have their own logos; the Shidai, Yuejie, Qizhi(s) and ix4 are seen carrying the GAC logo itself.

From gasgoo.com on 3/22/11
Mike Dunne, president of Dunne & Co, an industry consultancy, said: “Nothing is written down, but when automakers go to apply for capacity expansion, in their application it’s clear that they should have a plan for an indigenous brand with jointly owned product rights and some provision for new energy vehicles. Foreigners want more capacity; China is saying: ‘We want more own brands’.”

Might have been true or relevant around 2011-12; the industry is plagued with overcapacity now; about 44 million for a market that may not rise above 30-35 million in the near future. Yes, some JV companies are seeking to increase capacity, like SAIC-VW for Audi and electric vehicles, or the recent capacity addition announced by Toyota; in most cases, new factories are being sought mainly by local companies or EV startups.

Indigenous JV brands are either dead (Shouwang, Ciimo), stillborn (Jiayue, Ranz, Leahead), or comatose (Horki, Zinoro, Everus). Only Venucia may be thriving; it has no electric vehicle in its lineup now.

From Yang Jian, of Automotive News China, on 5/24/12 :
...China's government concluded that its domestic automakers needed more access to foreign technology. Beijing told global automakers they would have to do 3 things:
1. Create new brands for their Chinese joint ventures.
2. Establish r&d facilities for the joint ventures.

I cannot figure how relabeling a local car (GS4) that has already been on the market for some time, to one under a JV name provides access to foreign technology. The GS4 is available as ICE, PHEV or EV. If any foreign technology was involved in its making, then it has already been incorporated.

3. Add electric vehicles to the joint ventures' product lineups.

That is exactly my point: these reverse-rebadged clones are just for compliance with state directives.

[Lawrence]

I see the branding issue more clearly now, DMitra. It's been awhile and I needed to be reminded that virtually all the so called sub-brands had their own logos created for them.

Here are the Foreign JV sub-brands that I am aware of :

Dongfeng-Nissan - From 2010: Venucia (Qichen 启辰, aka Kaichen)
GAC-Honda – From 2010: Everus (a Fit -based model); Ciimo (a Civic-based sedan aka Siming 思铭,DB)
BAIC-Hyundai – From 2011: Shouwang
SVW - From 2011: Tantus (Tianyue) (a Lavida - based sedan)
Chang’an-Ford - From 2012: Jiayue (a Focus-based model)
FAW-VW/Audi – From 2013: Kaili E88 EV ( a Bora 2007(Jetta)-based model)
FAW-Toyota – From 2013: Ranz (aka Langshi 朗世) (a Corolla EX - based model)
SGM - From 2013: Springo (a Sail-derived model)
Dongfeng-Yueda Kia - From 2014: Horky EV (aka Huaqi 华骐, Brilliant black horse); Dianyue
GAC-Toyota – From 2016: Leahead (Lingzhi)EV, (a Yaris -based model)

[dmitra]

Right you are. (DS may be construed as a foreign brand, though first applied standalone on Chinese cars before being used in France)

P.S.: I didn't mention Baojun in my previous post because its success is well acknowledged, that is to say, in a different league from the other extant or extinct JV brands.

[Lawrence]

Some additional info in support of DMitra's comments:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...na-s-new-rules

https://jalopnik.com/why-four-car-co...e-c-1830253611

[dmitra]

GAC Honda Shirui (世锐) PHEV launched at the 2018 Guangzhou Auto Show; the name is not Shidai as previously reported.

https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201811/925289.html

[dmitra]

https://car.autohome.com.cn/chezhan/exps107/4985.html

[dmitra]

https://club.autohome.com.cn/bbs/thr...9223963-1.html