The very first spy shots of the new Weichai Auto Yingzhi M301 mini MPV for China. The M301 will debut on the Guangzhou Auto Show later this month with a launch on the Chinese auto market in early 2015. the mini MPV market is growing like crazy in China, with more and more car buyers choosing the practically and space of a mini MPV over a similarly priced sedan.
The M301 will be powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with about 150hp, mated to a CVT gearbox. Size: 4453/1746/1715, wheelbase is 2780. The M301 will compete with cars such as the Baojun 730 and the Dongfeng Xiaokang Fengguang. Price will start around 60.000 yuan and end around 85.000 yuan.
Weichai Auto is a brand new car brand owned by Weichai Power, one of the largest Chinese engine makers and sponsor of the Ferrari F1 team (check chick!) The company is based in Weifang, Shandong Province. Yingzhi is the brand name, called Enranger in English. Their first car, the Yingzhi G3, was launched in August.
Click or Die:
Add to the competition, Chang’an’s Ounuo and Lifan’s Lotto and others. It’ll be a difficult time for Weichai to be entering the market.