Luxury Car Makers Gear Up For China

While Beijing's auto show features hybrids and electric cars and dozens of other models aimed at China's mass market, luxury car makers from around the world have also wheeled out their latest offerings at the 200,000-square-meter exhibition area.

The gull-winged Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG making its Chinese debut and the Lamborghini LP 670-4, a limited edition solely for the Chinese market, stole some of the limelight from the almost 1,000 car models on display. Mercedes-owner Daimler AG, meanwhile, gave a world premiere to its Maybach sedan that features an optional 19-inch cinema screen and seat piping that comes hand-braided or laced with Swarovski crystals.

China's auto market became the world's biggest last year in terms of the number of vehicles sold, as sales jumped by almost half to nearly 13.6 million vehicles. In the first three months of 2010, auto sales were up another 80% year-on-year, J.D. Power data show. 

 The country's emerging class of super-rich also upped their automobile spending, with several global luxury brands reporting sharp increases in sales in China. BMW AG saw China sales double in the first quarter of 2010, and the company plans to boost its dealership network by 20 to 170 this year. German rival Audi, owned by Volkswagen, is the market leader in China and says it expects its sales there will outpace those in its domestic market within the next three years. The international brands won't have it all their own way, however.

Domestic auto maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has its own Emgrand GE luxury auto aimed at China's wealthy elite. Among the most expensive cars showing at Beijing's new China International Exhibition Center is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, priced at more than $2 million, which its makers claim is "on a par with modern Formula 1 race cars." Rolls Royce, Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley and Maserati all also paraded their vehicles at the event, which opened Friday and continues to May 2.

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'The world's most famous car' to be auctioned

What would you say is the world’s most famous individual car? KITT from Knight Rider? Mr. Bean’s Mini? The General Lee? For anyone born prior to the mid 70’s, the answer would probably be “The ’64 James Bond Aston Martin DB5.” Driven by Sean Connery in the classics Goldfinger and Thunderball, it featured a long list of spy gadgetry, and is considered by many to still be the quintessential Bond car. This fall, for the first time ever, the silver beauty will be put up for auction. Start saving now, because it is expected to fetch over US$5 million.

There were actually two cars used in the 007 films. A late-series DB4 was used for close-ups, while a DB5 was used for the fast-driving scenes. Aston Martin loaned both cars to EON Productions for the filming of the movies, after which they were returned to the factory. In 1969, American radio broadcaster Jerry Lee convinced Aston Martin to sell the DB5 to him for $12,000. It has remained in his possession ever since. He is selling it now to raise money for his multi-national crime-prevention charity, the Jerry Lee Foundation.

 FMP 7B, as it is known for its original UK registration number, will be put on the block by RM Auctions on October 27th at London’s Stoke Park Club. In the movies, Stoke Park was the scene of the first confrontation between James Bond and Mr. Goldfinger. Oh, and here’s a tantalizing tidbit - the other Goldfinger/Thunderball car, the DB4, was stolen in 1997 and is still missing. So hey, if you miss out on the DB5, there’s still a chance... 

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Alfa Romeo Celebrates Centenary, Unveils Giulietta

If you were wondering what has been cooking in the department of cars and automobiles, you better be aware of Geneva Motor Show, which is the talk of the town. Geneva Motor Show has seen a number of vehicles and cars, and it even celebrated its 80th anniversary.

 What takes the icing on the cake is the Alfa Romeo is celebrating the landmark centenary, as it was founded way back in 1910. Thus, they have unveiled the all new Giulietta which is being touted as a vital new product for the company. The Giulietta is similar to Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series but is priced similar to Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. 

Some of the cooler features that you could expect to see in the Giulietta are dual dry clutch transmission, MultiAir engine induction, Start & Stop engine management, stability control and Six gasoline and diesel engines with 104 hp. The Giulietta may produce the car for the North American market as well, but it is not clear at the moment when it might launched or made available. Thus, Alfa Romeo certainly seems to be partying in Geneva, just like its hosts are.

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