With Shouwang, carmaker bows to China pressure
Beijing has asked multinational companies to introduce second brands exclusive to the country in a bid to push development of its domestic auto industry.
Caving to the pressure to carve a bigger slice out of the world’s largest auto market, General Motors, Volkswagen, Nissan and Honda have all made the unusual move of creating tailor-made brands for a specific market.
Hyundai Motor, Korea’s leading automaker, said it is following suit by launching a second brand called Shouwang, meaning “of high birth” in ancient Chinese, though it did not discuss details.
“Shouwang will be developed into an electric car,” said Li Feng, executive vice general manager for Beijing Automotive. “Shouwang is expected to become the first mass-produced electric vehicle.”
Beijing Automotive introduced a concept car based on the Hyundai Avante midsize sedan and code name BHCD-1. If the concept car goes into production, it is expected to be manufactured at the joint venture’s third plant, which will be completed next year.
China has reportedly asked that carmakers unveil new brands in return for having their expanded production facilities approved, although Hyundai denied this. It also denied reports that emerged earlier this year that it would be launching a new localized brand in China.
SAIC-GM-Wuling launched its Baojun sub-brand last year and introduced its Baojun 630 passenger car at the Shanghai International Auto Show in April.
In the same month, Honda launched a second brand, Li Nian, through its joint venture, Guwangqi Honda Automobile, and unveiled the S1 compact.
Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle, a China-based joint venture of Nissan Motor and Dongfeng Motor, plans to launch its Venucia brand in China next year.
“Even if Shouwang is launched in China, Hyundai’s brand will be maintained,” a Hyundai official said. “It will just be a sub-brand for the Chinese market.”
When the construction of the third factory is completed, Hyundai’s production in China is likely to hit 100 million units a year. The carmaker estimated that it took a 6.3 percent share of the Chinese market in the first half, making it the fourth-largest automaker in the country.
By Limb Jae-un [jbiz91@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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