GAC Hopes Transformers Appearance Means US Sales Next Year

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Aside from seeing another Hasbro IP cameo transform into a weapon of mass destruction, viewers at the weekend opening of “Transformers: Age of Extinction” may have also glimpsed the first Chinese vehicle to arrive in the United States in the near future.

Autoblog reports director Michael Bay chose Chinese brand Trumpchi to be involved in the latest film upon seeing its E-jet PHEV and asking if the PHEV could be used in said film. Parent automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd hopes the exposure will help them when (or if) they bring a few of its Trumpchis to the U.S. by 2015 at the earliest.

The first to be sent over via container ship is the GS5 SUV, which can be had in China for as low as ¥148,000 ($24,000 USD). Power comes from either a 2-liter four-pot providing 145 horses and 128 lb-ft of torque, or a 1.8-liter turbo-four delivering 174 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SUV can either be had with FWD or AWD, and power can be processed through a five-speed manual or automatic.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 9 comments
  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Jun 30, 2014

    When Top Gear tested some Chinese cars (in China) three or so years ago, they made it sound like Trumpchi was the model name (of the red car they drove) and Guangzhou was the manufacturer. But this makes it sound like it's a Guangzhou as overall maker, Trumpchi is brand and GS* is the model. *Toyota please sue them for the use of the GS moniker.

  • LeMansteve LeMansteve on Jun 30, 2014

    Ugh, this thing looks like a parts bin special from about 10 different cars.

  • Hummer Hummer on Jun 30, 2014

    Is it so truly hard for a car company to properly categorize a vehicle type? I know nothing about this vehicle but by looking at the picture I'm about 99% sure this is a crossover. You don't see manufacturers try to sell cargo vans as SUVs, and their a hell of a lot closer to an SUV than a poorly executed car with a fancy lift kit and body curtains. Sorry I see this multiple times every month, I try to ignore it, but its ridiculous, to me it would be like VW removing the trunk lid and installing a drain hole on a passat and trying to sell it as a pickup.

  • April April on Jun 30, 2014

    This comes to mind. Blockbuster action films are getting more and more of their box office business from China/Asia. What better way to cater to that market than include product placement from that region of the globe.

Next