Qoros Auto Company Ltd., the joint Chinese car venture of Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO) and Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., has revealed its potential range of models at a dealers convention, even though the company did not participate in the Frankfurt Auto Show, and has been keeping a low media profile ahead of its planned commercial launch in the fourth quarter of 2013.
At the dealers convention, Qoros unveiled models planned for the next 5-10 years. The company is planning four modular car platforms. The first platform, C, is a family sedan that is the basis for the company's first car, the Qoros 3, which has already been unveiled. This platform could be the basis for at least nine different models, including the Qoros Over, a convertible, a three-door model, a hatchback, a station wagon, and a compact recreational vehicle that will compete against the Nissan Juke and similar cars.
The Qoros D platform will have three main models: a compact 6-7 seat minivan, a large sedan the size of a Volkswagen Passat, and a recreation car. The topline E platform will apparently come later. It will include a luxury town car, a high-end hatchback, and probably a sport utility station wagon.
There will also be a compact E platform, which will have three models. The most interesting of these is a fashionable hatchback, which resembles the BMW Mini. This may not be a coincidence, given that Qoros's chief designer designed the modern Mini.
Israel Corp has invested almost $500 million in Qoros to date.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 22, 2013
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