China Orders Better Mileage

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: March 20th, 2013

Chinese carmakers are worried about new fuel economy standards handed down by the Chinese government today. The rules are intended to lower average fuel consumption to 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers by 2015 and then to 5.0 liters by 2020, Reuters says.

“That’s going to be tough for everyone, especially those small players as they will have to use more fuel-efficient engines and invest in hybrid technologies,” Yale Zhang, director of Greater China vehicle forecasts at consultancy CSM Worldwide told Reuters. The wire could not find current consumption figures. Consumption stood at 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers in 2009 and 8.2 liters in 2008.

Now all we need is a snazzy Chinese acronym. TEA perhaps?

#BertelSchmitt #China #FuelEconomy

Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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14 of 17 comments

Corey Lewis on Mar 20, 2013

There are not enough Audis at that petrol station.

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- Jhefner on Mar 20, 2013
  
  I believe the silver one is the Chinese-built version of the 5000s with of all things a Chrysler 2.2l from the K-car instead of the Audi power plant.
  
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- Otterpops on Mar 20, 2013
  
  I don't think that station is in China. That looks like Cyrillic on the building and on the pump.
  
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- Corey Lewis on Mar 20, 2013
  
  @jhefner How can you tell? My 5000 looked just like that, except nice.
  
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- Corey Lewis on Mar 20, 2013
  
  @Otterpops Yep definitely Russian.
  
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- Jhefner on Mar 20, 2013
  
  @Corey Lewis Educated guess; FAW built tons of these in the 1990s for government use (see wikipedia entry for the Audi 100/5000s.). From the side, they look similar; the grill and headlights are a big giveaway. They were called the Hongqi CA7200; Google that for pictures of them.
  
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- Sceptic on Mar 20, 2013
  
  @Corey Lewis And Kazakh above it. Looks like the station is in Kazakhstan.
  
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- Corntrollio on Mar 20, 2013
  
  @Sceptic But if it's in Kazakhstan, where are the gypsies that Borat said they use as slave labor to pump the gas?
  
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- Amca on Mar 21, 2013
  
  @jhefner The Hongqi. I love that name. I hope they try to export it to the States.
  
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- Corey Lewis on Mar 21, 2013
  
  @jhefner "Lookie thar at that Honkey drivin around. New Honkey in town!" -Everyone south of the Mason-Dixon
  
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Athos Nobile on Mar 20, 2013

Downsized engines massification. The small players have all the reason to worry. Even if their sales mix consists of cars from A to C segments.

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Big Al from Oz on Mar 21, 2013

The Chinese will be able to meet those figures. Most don't have cars yet, so mobility, any mobility will be a dream come true. Here are the figures for a Great Wall ute, it is the same size as the Izuzu based twin cabs. This is also a 4x4 and its getting over 28mpg. http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/great_wall_v200_diesel_4wd_dual_cab_ute_review

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- Athos Nobile on Mar 21, 2013
  
  It is easy when most of your fleet is small engined. But as their income increases, so will their demand for bigger/thirstier vehicles. The technology to have a big car with tiny consumption is already there (of course, ECE cycle fuel economy numbers require plenty of salt to swallow). I can put money in that this measure is going to be followed by some Euro(4?; 5?; 6?) emissions requirement. The small players who don't have access to downsized engines, modern diesel or hybrids will suffer.
  
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Schmitt trigger on Mar 21, 2013

"I don’t think that station is in China. That looks like Cyrillic on the building and on the pump." And the sky is blue!!

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