SAIC
Peugeot pushed cars into the fleet market while China's MG also added volume in the rental car sector. BYD sales were boosted by a new plug-in hybrid.
MG, one of Europe's fastest-growing brands, aims to align its marketing across the region.
Overall March sales in France were down 15 percent, tying it with the Netherlands for the worst performance during the month among countries in Europe.
MG said its CyberX SUV will be pitched as a young customer’s “first toy for urban adventures.”
A first European factory site could be announced by this summer, sources said. Capacity could be 100,000 annually, with a second factory to come later.
First-quarter sales of new-energy vehicles including full electric models and plug-in hybrids at GM's two joint ventures increased 53 percent from a year earlier, GM China said.
The MG S5 will replace the smaller ZS in the Chinese brand's lineup when it launches in Europe this spring. It rides on the same platform as the MG4 compact hatchback.
The partnership adds another state-owned automaker betting on Huawei, which has risen to prominence as a supplier of smart driving technologies, to boost EV sales.
The average price reduction required for customers to consider switching to a Chinese automaker is 27 percent, a new study found.
China in the past delivered $2 billion a year in income for GM, though executives say those results won’t be matched anytime soon, if ever again, despite restructuring moves.
