IF Chinese automakers want to drive forward with their own self-designed models, they need to go beyond just creating a car using a platform developed by foreign carmakers, and instead build a completely new car using domestically engineered core parts.

However, it is still a long road ahead for domestic car producers to roll out models that are purely developed by themselves despite the hype the concept is sweeping the nation.

Several weeks ago, FAW, China's largest carmaker, launched a new so-called self-designed sedan in Shanghai. The firm claimed the Benteng, which means "galloping forward" in Chinese, is China's first domestically designed sedan in the mid-to-high end market.

However, the model, powered by a 2.3-liter or 2.0-liter engine, was developed on the platform of the Mazda 6, which is also produced by FAW under licensed production from Japan's Mazda Motor Corp.

Its Benteng model uses core auto parts from Mazda including Mazda 6's engine, power and transmission systems. But the Chinese firm has made changes to body design, safety equipment, and interior decoration and incorporated a thickened steel board and over 3,883 welding spots over the past three years developing the Benteng.

But the Benteng is not alone. SAIC, China's second largest carmaker will also roll out its first self-branded models based on the Rover 25 and Rover 75 after it bought intellectual property rights from the failed British MG Rover.

More and more models are being labeled as self-designed but they share a lot in common with various home-produced models introduced by foreign carmakers including General Motors Corp, Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford.

Strictly speaking, models like Benteng could not be called a self-developed model as its core spare parts were not made by China domestic carmakers.

So-called self-development is actually a complete knocked down model with little changes to meet local demand.

Source:佚名