Qoros will launch compact sedan in Europe priced below 20,000 euros
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GENEVA -- Chinese carmaker Qoros said its Qoros 3 sedan will cost below 20,000 euros ($26,000) when it launches later this year.
Qoros will begin sales of the compact car in China and Eastern Europe later this year. The sedan will compete against models such as the Skoda Rapid and Seat Toledo.
Qoros said the Qoros 3 is relatively large for the compact segment at 4615mm long and 1839mm wide.
The sedan will be offered with four-cylinder 1.6-liter gasoline engines with either 126 hp or 156 bhp. Both engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission as standard with an optional six-speed dual-clutch transmission available for both. A stop-start system will be available from launch.
The Qoros 3 has an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard.
Qoros is jointly owned by Chery Automotive and investment company Israel Corp. It has recruited around a dozen western car executives, including Volker Steinwascher, a former head of Volkswagen in the United States, as deputy CEO, and Gert Hildebrand, former head of styling at Mini, as its design director.
Qoros says it is targeting "top scores" for the sedan in both the European and Chinese tests.
Qoros also unveiled in Geneva two concepts previewing a crossover hatchback and a station wagon.
The company has opened a factory in Changshu, China with an initial annual production capacity of 150,000 units with potential for expansion to 450,000.
The Qoros 3 is the latest attempt by a Chinese manufacturer to try to gain a foothold in Europe's highly competitive market, along with SAIC-owned MG Motor, Geely and Great Wall.
Chinese carmakers have found it difficult to make an impact in the region's heavily brand-conscious market amid safety and quality concerns.
Reuters contributed to this report
