Israel-Chinese Joint Venture Qoros Unveils Car Model Lineup
by Joshua Levitt
Qoros Auto Company Ltd., a joint venture between Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO) and China’s Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., unveiled its first models at a dealers convention, ahead of its planned commercial launch in the fourth quarter of 2013, Israel’s Globes business daily reported.
At the dealers convention, Qoros unveiled a model line-up planned for the next decade based on four modular car platforms based on the work of Qoros’s chief designer, who also was responsible for designing the modern BMW-owned MINI.
The first platform, C, is a family sedan that is the basis for the company’s first car, the Qoros 3, which has already been unveiled. The C platform could be the basis for at least nine different models, including the Qoros Over, a convertible, a three-door model, a hatchback, a station wagon, and a compact recreational vehicle. The Qoros D platform will have three main models: a compact 6-7 seat minivan, a large sedan the size of a Volkswagen Passat, and a recreation car, Globes said. The top-of-the-line E platform will be introduced at a future date and would include a luxury town car, a high-end hatchback, and probably a sport utility station wagon to resemble the MINI.
Israel Corp has invested almost $500 million in Qoros to date, Globes said.