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China's Shuanghuan Auto opens first overseas plant in Sudan

August 26, 2009
Chinese carmaker Shuanghuan Automobile Co has started up production at its first overseas plant in Sudan to meet increasing demand in the region.

The new plant, jointly built with local vehicle manufacturer GIAD Motor Co, will assemble Shuanghuan CEO SUVs from semi-knocked-down kits for Sudan as well as nearby Africa markets.

Shuanghuan Auto began operations in Sudan in 2007, and decided to set up a plant in the country two years later to tap growing vehicle market.

Shuanghuan, a Hebei-based manufacturer founded in 1988, now exports their vehicles to over 50 countries. They currently produce three models including CEO, SRV, and the Noble (also known as the Bubble).

http://autonews.gasgoo.com/auto-new...Auto-opens-first-overseas-plant-in-Sudan.html


GIAD Motor homepage:
http://www.giadmotor.sd/index.html

No mention of cooperation with Chinese yet.

 

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GIAD Motor is already producing several Chinese SUV's

 

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[erik (laofan) cmvdc]

Zhengzhou-Nissan models.

 

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Thanks erik.
Do you perhaps know when has cooperation between Zhengzhou and GIAD started?

 

[Joest]

Back in 2008, Zhenzhou-Nissan talked about setting a CKD plant in Angola and they said they already got one in Sudan:
http://www.leblogauto.com/2008/03/les-pick-ups-dongfeng-nissan-a-lassaut-des-pays-emergeants.html

By the way, Erik, any news on Shuanghuan? Did the company went bankrupt?

 

[dragin]

Although separate from the Dongfeng Motor Co. Ltd. joint venture with Nissan, isn't this Zhengzhou-Nissan owned by Dongfeng (since 2004)?

 

[erik (laofan) cmvdc]

Martin, Joest answered your question. Joest, Shuanghuan, part of the Huanghai Group is still producing: January 2353 suv's <2239 2wd, 114 4wd>(Aurora 20, Challenger 232, Landscape 2093 and Landscape V3 8 units), 2026 'light trucks' (pickups).
Dragin, Dongfeng has a majority of 51% in Zhengzhou-Nissan, part of the production is sold under the Dongfeng brand.

 

[dragin]

Thank you Laofan.
But I wasn't aware that Shuanghuan had been acquired by Huanghai. Are you sure that you are not confusing it with Shuguang?

 

[Joest]

Martin, Joest answered your question. Joest, Shuanghuan, part of the Huanghai Group is still producing: January 2353 suv's <2239 2wd, 114 4wd>(Aurora 20, Challenger 232, Landscape 2093 and Landscape V3 8 units), 2026 'light trucks' (pickups).
Dragin, Dongfeng has a majority of 51% in Zhengzhou-Nissan, part of the production is sold under the Dongfeng brand.

What about the CEO and the Bubble/Noble? Are they gone?

 

[erik (laofan) cmvdc]

I am stupid, Dragin, confusing Shuanghuan with Shuguan.
About Shuanghuan: Shuanghuan is officially not a car producer, but a car refit factory and that is the reason that their production is not included in the official Chinese car production/sales statistics.
So it is difficult to say if Shuanghuan is still producing. Yearly statistics of these car refit factories are available at the second half of the year after, so now the most actual statistics are from 2009.

 

[dragin]

Not at all, Laofan. I thought it was from you that we learned that Hongxing, the maker of the Smart lookalike, called the Noble (Little Aristocrat), was acquired by Shuanghuan.

It seems that because of that minicar Shuanghuan is kept pretty busy these days.
Apparently many foreign firms are purchasing at least the body from Shuanghuan.

For example:

Martin Motors of Italy
Moto Auto Group of Switzerland

and in the U.S.:
Wheego
Sunmotor Group LLC
Zev2Go LLC
Noble Automotive of North Carolina

as for the legally controversial SCEO model Joest, I don't know about its fate....

 

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Moto Auto homepage:
http://www.motoautogroup.com/default.asp

Besides Shuanghuan models Swiss are advertising some other Chinese vehicles including buses

Moto Auto Group, a Swiss company publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol, MAE, brings a unique brand of Chinese assembled cars, trucks, SUVs, buses and commercial vehicles to market.

Moto Auto’s vehicles differ by offering great fuel economy, high reliability and ease of use, without compromising environment, extravagance and style. The cars are equipped with state-of-the art luxury amenities presented in distinguished high-quality in- and exterior.

With very affordable prices, Moto Auto offers unprecedented value-for-money on stylish wheels. - Undoubtedly a lucrative investment!

 

[Joest]

What a strange company. I've never heard of them. They're not even coming to the Geneva Motor Show!

Their line-up is a mix of Shuanghuan, Zhongxhing and their "SL" sedan is a Shanghai Mapple Marino (wasn't it discontinued?)

They don't seem really serious.

 

[erik (laofan) cmvdc]

This kind of set ups are common in the US, you pay a lot of money to become a dealer and you never sell a car. And finally the dream is over.
Yes these Maples are out of production, Joest. All the pictures are photoshopped with a new logo.