[jmsteiny]

The Yinglang is much better known as the Buick Excelle HRV. The first HRV debuted in China in late 2003, and it was a copy of a Daewoo Lacetti. It sold very well for a long time, but with the emergence of a real market for 5 door compact hatchbacks (FRV, Fit, King Kong 5 door, Polo, Tiida, etc..) Buick felt it was time to give the HRV a major upgrade - hence the new HRV. Yes, the new HRV is a copy of the Opel Astra - but should be priced to fit in the low end of Buick's model range. If I had to guess right now, I'd say it will be in 100,000-120,000rmb price range (it still needs to compete against the Polo/Golf/Fit/Livina/Tiida market). I'm looking forward to seeing it in person, should be a very nice car for the price.

 

[jmsteiny]

Rally Red, you're right............but the original Lacetti name was a family of 3 cars - 4 door sedan, 5 door hatch and station wagon. It was also known as the Chevrolet Optra in Canada and Europe, and sold under the Holden brand in Australia. It ALSO turns out that Buick IS going to market the new version as the Yinglang (at least in China)..........so credit to you, Mr. Anakin! It makes sense.......the old Excelle and HRV in China were from the same family - the Lacetti. The NEW versions are not.......the Excelle 4 door is also known as the Chevrolet Cruze in America, and the new Yinglang 5 door is the Opel Astra. IF Buick can price the Yinglang to directly compete with the Polo (in other words in the 100-120,000rmb price range) it should be a big success. It won't be easy, the new generation Polo is a very nice car - BUT the Yinglang can offer more room and a more upscale interior. I'll use american football as a analogy - it's early in the 1st quarter, the score is 0-0, the teams are evenly matched and there's a LOT of football left to play! :lol:

 

[jmsteiny]

Daewoo, you are absolutely right about the Yinglang competing with the new Golf and not the Polo.........that was simply "mental flatulence" on my part.:lol: I think the price targets are still accurate though........the base model Polo is in the 80-90,000rmb range, and I think the new Golf will start in the 100-120,000rmb range. If the Yinglang can start in the same price area as the new Golf, I think the Golf will have some SERIOUS competition.