SAIC invests into green car

After Roewe E50 all-electronic car launched market, SAIC develops another new energy car.

Zhu Jun, vice-director of technology center of SAIC passenger car, told reporter that Roewe 550 plug-in technology exceed same level overseas cars. It shall contribute to Roewe large amount of investment in new energy area. As it known, SAIC has invested 4.6 billion yuan into new energy car development up to the end of 2012. SAIC Roewe 550 has gained 1.16 billion yuan for R&D.

The Roewe E50 all-electric car [Photo/cnautonews.com]

Because of environment protect pressure, traditional car has no choice but upgrade its energy using method. New energy car is a tendency in the future as well. As it known, SAIC builds its specialist team to develop Roewe 550 plug-in in 2008. It has funded a company named Jieneng for energy saving research. SAIC research period has experienced 3 phrases: Roewe 750 hybrid in 2011, pure electronic car in 2012 and plug-in hybrid car this year.

SAIC passenger car has invested a lot into new energy car segment. SAIC has invested 4.6 billion yuan up to the end of 2012. SAIC divides R&D fee into project development fee, manufacture module fee and outside suppliers investment. Roewe 550 plug-in research cost as high as 1.16 billion yuan.

Staff of SAIC said that new energy car is still a tendency product. Foreign company aims realizing profit, but not interesting into research investment. However, Chinese brands leading by Roewe have research and control the mainstream tendency in the future by capital investment and hardworking. SAIC will invest more capital into new energy car development since 3.6 billion yuan investment up to 2012.

Roewe 550 plug-in is the first mass production triple power plug-in hybrid car of China. It prices with 248.8 thousand yuan for luxury version and 259.8 thousand yuan for flagship version.

Zhu Jun said that Roewe 550 plug-in has 35 thousand yuan nation subsidy, and local Shanghai government gains another 30 thousand yuan. Roewe 550 plug-in price will not exceed 200 thousand yuan after subsidy. In some cities, it even will have a special license for it.

Facing traditional car upgrading and new energy car development, SAIC is ready for the change. As it known, Roewe 350 will be geared with plug-in power as well. It is possible to increase sales if single car sales large enough, and will bring cost down.

"We will decide to develop another platform then," said Zhu.