Haval H2 SUV launched in Malaysia

Haval, the most popular SUV in China is now here in Malaysia. The Haval H2 (1.5 Turbo) is distributed in Malaysia by Go Auto, the official distributor of Great Wall Motors in the country. The H2 is an upgrade to the M4 which was launched last year.

According to a press release, the new model is priced from RM89,950 per unit and is targeted to a slightly more mature and affluent market segment, between 30 and above and young families. Features include six-speed automatic gearbox, electric folding side mirrors with integrated puddle lamps, a sunroof, six way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, 3.5-inch TFT color display trip computer and a multifunction steering wheel. A touch screen infotainment unit and dual-zone automatic air-conditioning are fitted as well.

As for safety features, the H2 comes with include six airbags (front passenger and driver, side curtain, front sides), Electronic Stability Program, and ABS with EPB (Electronic Parking Brake), FR-LH (Front Left Handside) Blind Spot Visual System, stylish headlamp with Day Running Light (DRL), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and anti-glare rear view mirror as well.

 The SUV is powered by a 1.5L Turbo petrol engine and the maximum power output in kilowatt/hp at 5600 is 110/147 and the maximum output of torque at 210Nm is 220RPM to 4500 RPM.

Jaguar Land Rover opens its first overseas manufacturing plant

Jaguar Land Rover has opened its first overseas manufacturing facility in China. The award-winning Range Rover Evoque will be the first model to be built in a joint venture with Chinese auto company Chery Automobile Company Ltd worth RMB 10.9 billion. This is in fact the first Chinese-British automotive joint venture.

The 400,000 square-metres plant, is located in the Changshu Economic Development Zone north of Shanghai.

They expect to build three Jaguar Land Rover models with total production capacity of 130,000 units a year by 2016 (for the Chinese market only). The facility features highly-automated press shops – including cutting-edge aluminium and steel technologies – along with a steel body shop comprising 306 robots, an energy-efficient paint shop and an ergonomically-friendly final assembly line.

Some interesting information:

• Jaguar Land Rover first established a presence in China just over a decade ago.
• China is Jaguar Land Rover’s single largest market with over 100,000 vehicles sold in the last fiscal year
• In addition to China, Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed plans to create a local manufacturing facility in Brazil and has a local assembly facility in Pune, India.

London Taxis back in production

Production of the iconic London Taxis - the new TX4 model, has resumed at the London Taxi Company factory at Hollyhead road in Coventry, six months after the firm was rescued by the Geely Group. Geely Group Chairman Li Shufu and Business Secretary Vince Cable were present to officially start production.

Pic from their Twitter page

The Chinese owners bought the company for £11.4 million in February this year. With a £150m five-year investment plan, and 65 new jobs in Coventry and new sales staff in London, the company is hoping for a brighter future. - The company has a total workforce of around 170 and aims to produce 10 cars a day.