Manufacturing
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- By Chinadaily.com.cn
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China's largest privately owned carmaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd has denied reports that it is acquiring the Volvo car unit from Ford Motor Co, Reuters said yesterday.
It quoted a spokesperson from Geely as saying: "We don't have plans to buy Volvo as some media have reported."
Earlier media reports had said preliminary talks between Geely and Ford began in December after Ford said it would consider selling the unit.
It said Ford would likely get less than the $6.4 billion it paid for Volvo in 1999. The US automaker, which is eager to raise cash to avoid a federal bailout, has also approached Chery Automobile Co and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co.
Spokesmen of both Geely and Volvo did not answer calls to their mobile phones.
"When you compare the market value of Geely and Volvo, you will ask how can Geely raise enough money to buy the European car brand," he said.
It would also be hard for Geely to manage such a foreign brand, said Li.
Car sales growth in China slowed to 7 percent in 2008, the lowest in a decade in the wake of the economic crisis. The central government, however, recently unveiled stimulus plans to boost the industry and stop the economy from slowing.
Geely's sales in the country fell 1 percent last year. At the economic forum in Davos last month, Geely founder Li Shufu said sales would rise 25 percent this year partly helped by the government support plan.
Volvo also struggled as the global auto market declined, and its US sales fell 64 percent last year. Ford said Volvo had a pretax loss of $736 million in the fourth quarter.
Ford lost $14.6 billion last year and is trying to avoid asking for government loans to survive after US auto sales plunged to the lowest level in almost 27 years.
Last June, Ford Motor sold Jaguar and Land Rover to India's Tata Motors Ltd for $2.4 billion. It sold its Aston Martin luxury line for $931 million in May 2007 to a group of investors.
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- By David Cao
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Chinese auto maker - Chery - brings 15 new models for 2009. These 15 new models involved 5 platforms: Platform A\B\H\P\S.
Chery S16 is somehow similiar to volkswagen beatles, especially the front curve.
S16 has two doors, they improved the feeling of open and close door.
In order to enhance the security of this model, S16 uses sets of LED front lights and rear lights which integrated with Chinese Q ideal.
It is powered by SQR473F 1.3L engine, about 83 horsepower, better than its QQ's.
Codesigned with a Italian design studio, S18 is a brand new model in european style. It will be equipped with ABS+EBD, anti-theft system, pre-tight safty belt, dual airba, reverse senso, children lock, CD, GPS, MP3 and so on.
s18 is powered by Chery ACTOCO engine.
Inspired by Beijing Olympic mascot - Fuwa "huanhuan", s18c is designed as a trendy and economic model. It has 4doors and 5 seats, but provides more space than its competitors.
Other dimensions are same as s18.
Inspired by Beijing Olympic mascot - Fuwa "jingjing", s18d is designed as a city mini SUV model based on S18 platform, but provides more power than other s18 based models.
A13, the 2nd generation of Cowin, is planning to roll off line in the middle of 2009. It will continues to use the suspension of former generation, and powered by 1.5L 477F engine.
Chery B6, interior code B21, is the 2nd generation of Eastar. Its target market is AUDI A4's market. Main competitors are Accord and camry, B21 will join in competition as Chery's upscale auto.
Chery B12 designed by the same design studio of B21 aims at Audi A6.
Chery MPV B13
Chery roadster B23, which has big rims, sports curves, is designed by BERTONE Italy.
Chery P11
Chery H13
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- By David Cao
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The model of "Heaven No.1" was show during the session of Chinese New Year Evening. It was said that this capsule has the same functions as a small space station.
As reported, it will be sent during 2010 and 2011, but before the end of 2011. With two years after that, Shenzhou No.8, No.9 and No.10 will be sent to connect with this 8-tons space station.
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- By Chinadaily.com.cn
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BEIJING -- China plans to complete its independent global satellite navigation system by launching about 30 more orbiters before 2015, a space technology official said Sunday.
China plans to send 10 navigation satellites into the space in 2009 and 2010, said Zhang Xiaojin, director of astronautics department with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) told China Central Television (CCTV).
The plan is to establish a global navigation system consisting of more than 30 satellites by the year of 2015. The system will shake off the dependence on foreign systems, Zhang said.
US's GPS has been widely used for commercial navigation in vehicles, cell phones and other civilian devices in China. Chinese civilian and military users could be guided by their own satellites worldwide after the Beidou becomes the world's fourth edition of global navigation systems.
China launched the first satellite, Beidou Navigation System, into geostationary orbit in October 2000, in an effort to build up its own positioning system independent from the US's Global Positioning System (GPS), E.U.'s Galileo Positioning System and Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).
China has sent five positioning orbiters into the space. The current Beidou system only provides regional navigation service within China's territory.
Since Beidou's fifth orbiter launched in April 2007, China has started to upgrade the navigation system to the second generation, code named COMPASS.
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- By David Cao
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Inspired by traditional art, the next generation of bus platform has Chinese elements in its design.
With ultra-width door, the new generation bus platform provides more possibilities and convenience to passengers.
Views from different angles
The concept bus named NTF might be the powerful tools for city transport which requires clean power and efficiency. This design inherits the traditional Chinese Lang style. As a public platform it enables internal comunication for passengers.
The calligraphy element enriches the power of design. Passengers can enjoy the view outside through bus windows. The most outstanding character is the bus is powered by Hydrogen and electricity.
It will come into the market in the near future.
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