Roewe

Roewe is a vehicle marque created by the Chinese automaker SAIC Motor in 2006. Roewe vehicles were initially based on technology acquired from defunct British carmaker MG Rover.[1] SAIC was unable to purchase the rights to the Rover brand name (which was retained by BMW and eventually sold to Ford and ultimately returned to Jaguar Land Rover) and created the Roewe marque as a replacement.[2] It is sold in most export markets outside China under the MG marque.

Roewe 荣威
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2006
Headquarters
Shanghai
,
China
ProductsAutomobiles
ParentSAIC Motor
Websitewww.roewe.com.cn
Roewe
Simplified Chinese荣威
Traditional Chinese榮威

Name

The name Roewe originates from SAIC's failure to acquire the Rover brand name from BMW c. 2005 (it was instead sold to Ford in 2006,[3] and the brand is currently owned by Tata Motors). Composed of the Chinese characters Róng and wēi, which roughly mean "glorious power", the name is a transliteration of Rover, although SAIC has stated that it is derived from Löwe, the German word for lion. Loewe, pronounced much like Roewe by Chinese speakers, is also the name of a Spanish manufacturer of luxury leather goods.[4]

History

SAIC purchased technology relating to the Rover 75 and Rover 25 after the 2005 collapse of MG Rover, and the Roewe marque first appeared on a version of the 75, the Roewe 750. Originally intending to purchase all assets of the failed British company, SAIC was outbid by Nanjing Automobile.[3] In 2007, SAIC merged with Nanjing Auto, so it now controls those MG Rover properties, such as the MG name and a Birmingham factory, the Longbridge plant, that it was initially unable to acquire.[5]

English engineering firm Ricardo assisted the development of early Roewe models and set up a new company in the UK, Ricardo (2010) Consultants Ltd, which helped bring the 750 to market.[2] According to SAIC, work on the vehicle was also done in China.[6] In 2007, Ricardo (2010) Consultants was purchased by SAIC and renamed SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre.[7] It employs over 200 British ex-Rover engineers.[8]

Roewe Vision-R concept front

The Roewe brand unveiled the Roewe Vision-R electric concept car at the 2015 Guangzhou Auto Show in China that and previews a new generation of the Roewe design language for the Chinese brand, featuring sharp creases and a full width grille that evolved from the previous Roewe shield grille. The new design theme was applied to products launched shortly after such as the Roewe i5, i6, RX3, RX5, RX7, RX8, and Marvel X, as well as facelifts of the Roewe 950 and Roewe 360 Plus.[9]

Current models

Roewe 360/360 Plus
Main article: Roewe 360
Roewe 360 Plus

The Roewe 360 was the replacement for the outdated Roewe 350, which went out of production in 2015. The Roewe 360 shares the underpinnings of the MG 5 hatchback and the MG GT sedan.

Roewe 950/ e950
Main article: Roewe 950
Roewe 950

The Roewe 950 is a B-plus class or E-segment executive saloon and the flagship model of the Roewe range. It was launched in April 2012 and is based on the long wheel base version of General Motors' Epsilon II platform, which it shares with the Buick Lacrosse.[10][11] The 950 was developed over a three-year period at a cost of around 1.8 billion yuan.[12]

Roewe Clever
Main article: Roewe Clever
Roewe Clever

The Roewe Clever all-electric supermini was unveiled in the 2020 as the successor of the Roewe E50.


Roewe i5/Ei5
Main article: Roewe i5
Roewe Ei5

Roewe i5 is a compact station wagon sharing the platform with the Buick Excelle GX wagon. The all-electric version called the Ei5 was first introduced and provides a range of 310km. The Ei5 made its debut at Auto Guangzhou 2017. Roewe will launch an entry-level Ei5 model with a range of 251 km.[13]

Roewe i6/ei6
Main article: Roewe i6
Roewe i6

In November 2017, SAIC launched the replacement of the Roewe 550, the Roewe i6 sedan which shares the platform with the second generation MG 6 sedan.[14] As for ei6, the hybrid version was also launched into the market at the same time.


Roewe RX3
Main article: Roewe RX3
Roewe RX3 in Shanghai

In September 2017, the production of Roewe's subcompact crossover RX3 has started.[15] Developed by the SAIC UK Technical Centre, the third Roewe SUV model, Roewe RX3 is positioned right below the RX5 and will compete against B-segment crossovers such as the Buick Encore and Ford EcoSport.[16] The Roewe RX3 also shares the underpinnings of the MG ZS SUV.

Roewe RX5/ eRX5/ ERX5/ RX5 Plus
Main article: Roewe RX5
Roewe RX5

On 9 June 2016, Alibaba officially unveiled the Roewe RX5, its first “internet car” in collaboration with SAIC. The RX5 is available for pre-order; it is priced upwards of RMB 148,800 ($22,300) with deliveries scheduled to start in August 2016.[17] Alongside the regular RX5, the plugin hybrid eRX5 and the full electric ERX5 with subtle styling differences were also revealed at the same time.

Roewe RX5 Max
Roewe Max

The Roewe Max is a mid-size CUV that was revealed during the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show.

Roewe Marvel X
Main article: Roewe Marvel X
Roewe Marvel X

The Roewe Marvel X is a mid-size CUV with a fastback. The electric version dubbed the Marvel X debuted during the 2018 Beijing Auto Show.


Roewe RX8
Main article: Roewe RX8
Roewe RX8

The Roewe RX8 is Roewe's flagship full size SUV that debuted in April 2018 on the Beijing Auto Show, sharing platforms with the Maxus D90. [18]


Roewe iMAX8
Main article: Roewe iMAX8

The Roewe iMAX8 is a minivan produced by Roewe since 2020.

Former models

Roewe E50
Main article: Roewe E50
Roewe E50

The Roewe E50 all-electric supermini was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition as a concept car.[19] In November 2012, SAIC introduced the production version of the E50 for the Chinese market with sales commencing in 2013. Sales ended for the 2016 model year.

Roewe W5
Roewe W5 in Shanghai, China
Main article: Roewe W5

Roewe launched the W5, its first SUV, at the 2011 Auto Shanghai motor show. The W5 is imitated model from SsangYong Kyron and is powered by the same 1.8 litre engine as used in the Roewe 550 and 750.[20]

Roewe 850
Main article: SsangYong Chairman

The Roewe 850 is the imitated Chinese version of the SsangYong Chairman full-size luxury vehicle.

Roewe 750
Main article: Roewe 750
Roewe 750

The Roewe 750 is an executive saloon that was produced by Roewe in China between 2006-2016, based on the Rover 75. Launched in October 2006 and codenamed SAC528 during development, the wheelbase of the Roewe 750 is stretched by 103 mm (4.1 in) compared to the Rover 75.[2] The drivetrain is a 2.5L V6 petrol engine(184bhp), based on the Rover KV6 engine and designated NV6, and the gearbox is a brand new 5-speed automatic. The company claims that 85% of the car is improved. Later, a 1.8T (turbo) petrol engine based on the Rover K-series engine, delivering around 160 bhp (119 kW; 162 PS) was introduced. The standard 1.8T version Roewe 750 was priced at 180,000 Yuan (US$29,000 or £14,500) in January 2008.[3]

Roewe 550/ e550
Main article: Roewe 550
Roewe 550

The Roewe 550 was formally launched at a 2008 motor show, and features LED lights on the rear; various audio, climate, and sat nav controls through a touchscreen; and a panoramic glass roof.

The 550 was developed by an Anglo-Chinese collaboration between the British consultancy firm Ricardo 2010 and SAIC's in-house development team.[21][22] Underneath, the 550 is based on a shortened Rover 75 platform and features a development of BMW's Z-axle system also used in the 75.[23]

Using a powerplant based on the Rover K series engine, options include 1.6 litre and 1.8 litre naturally aspirated or turbocharged petrol and 2.0 litre diesel engines. The 1.8 litre turbo (named "Kavachi" after a submarine volcano in the South Pacific) delivers around 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS), while the 2.0 litre diesel, complying with Euro IV emissions regulations, provides similar levels of power. A hybrid version was shown at the 2010 Beijing Autoshow.[24]

The Roewe 550 is sold as the MG 550 in Peru and Chile, but most export markets will only receive the sportier MG 6 derivative. Chinese-built MG 6 models for the UK market underwent final assembly at the MG Longbridge plant as of April 2011. Production remained small at no more than 3,000 units per year and has now totally ceased.[25]

Roewe 350
Main article: Roewe 350
Roewe 350

The Roewe 350 is based on the Roewe N1 concept car of 2009.[26] The production version was publicly launched at the Beijing Auto Show in 2010 with a SAIC-developed 1.5 L engine. The engine produces 107 hp (80 kW), but currently only meets Euro 4 emissions standards.[27] The 350 is produced at a former Nanjing Automobile production base in Pukou, China.[28] It is sold as the MG 350 in Israel, Peru, Colombia and Chile. SAIC revealed an all-electric version of the Roewe 350 powered by lithium-ion batteries in late 2010.

Sales

A total of 155,336 Roewe vehicles were sold in China in 2013, making it the 29th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 13th largest-selling Chinese brand).[29]

Exports

Outside of China, Roewe-derived models are currently sold under the MG marque.[30]

In 2008, the Roewe 550 and 750 were launched in Chile under the names MG 550 and MG 750, respectively.[31] The smaller MG 350 and sporty MG 6 were displayed at the eleventh Santiago Motor Show in October 2010.[32]

European sales first began in Belarus, with an MG-badged version of the 550.[23] British car magazine Autocar tested the Roewe 350 in 2010 suggesting that the model would be built and sold in the UK, but Roewe denied this.[33] Nonetheless, as of April 2011 SAIC's MG6 (a reworked Roewe 550) commenced assembly at the old MG Rover plant in Longbridge. The European market cars feature certain improvements over its Chinese siblings, meeting Euro V rather than Euro IV emissions standards.[34]

References
  1. "Rover becomes 'Roewe'". The Daily Telegraph. 13 October 2006.
  2. Adams, Keith (19 September 2008). "Roewe 750". AROnline. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  3. China debut for Rover-based car bbc.co.uk, Monday, 20 November 2006, 20:41 GMT
  4. Fairclough, Gordon (13 October 2006). "Over With Rover, China Firm Calls Car Line 'Roewe'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  5. REFILE-UPDATE 2-SAIC to make MG 6 in UK, upbeat on own-brand car reuters.com, Wed 25 November 2009 5:04 am EST
  6. SAIC Motor Technical Center SAIC Official Site
  7. 70. Business Combinations C. The Group as the acquirer... SAIC Motor Annual Report 2008, page 165
  8. Implement the Scientific Development Philosophy and Fulfill Corporate Social Responsibilities: Independent innovation, sustainable development of enterprise SAIC Official Site
  9. "Electric Roewe Vision-R Concept Debuts".
  10. Sutcliffe, Ashley (12 April 2012). "Roewe | Roewe 950 hits the market, priced competitively". chinacartimes.com. China Car Times - China Auto News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  11. Roewe website on 950 (2012). "荣威950,荣威950报价和图片,油耗测评-上汽荣威950官方网站". roewe.com.cn. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  12. "Roewe setting the pace for refined domestic cars". China Daily. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  13. "Total sales of Roewe, MG soar 70% year on year". Gasgoo. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  14. "SAIC Roewe i6 2018 model starts at RMB 89,800". Gasgoo. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  15. "Roewe RX3 goes off production line at third plant of SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle". Gasgoo. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  16. "SAIC working on developing second own brand Roewe SUV". Gasgoo. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  17. Jon Russel (6 July 2016). "Alibaba unveils its first smart car — and it's available for pre-order now". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  18. Tycho de Feijter (29 January 2018). "Official Photos Of The Roewe RX8 SUV For China". Car News China. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  19. "SAIC's First Pure-Electric Car, Roewe E50, to Hit Market in October". ChinaAuto Web. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  20. "Autocar 19 April 2011". Autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  21. Roewe cashes in on MG Rover's British heritage telegraph.co.uk,2:04 pm BST 25 August 2010
  22. "Roewe reveals reborn Rover 45". Auto Express. 5 May 2007.
  23. Sloman, Adam (16 February 2010). "Roewe 550: the story so far". AROnline. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  24. Factbox: A glimpse of Chinese green cars reuters.com, Wed 21 April 2010 11:40 pm EDT
  25. Bailey, David (12 April 2011), "MG 6 Years on", Birmingham Post
  26. "Autocar 24 March 2010". Autocar.co.uk. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  27. "Autocar 10 April 2010". Autocar.co.uk. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  28. Nanjing base sees 50,000th Roewe 350 SAIC Official Site, 24 December 2010
  29. "2013 Passenger Vehicle Sales by Brand". China Auto Web. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  30. SAIC expands MG line-up in Europe bbc.co.uk, 12:38 GMT, Wednesday, 24 March 2010
  31. "MG: Morris Garages". MG Motors Chile (in Spanish). SKBergé Automotriz. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  32. "Noticias: MG en el XI Salón del Automóvil" [News: MG at the 11th Motor Show]. MG Motors Chile (in Spanish). SKBergé Automotriz. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  33. "24 March 2010". BBC News. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  34. SAIC launches new MG car in UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China, 2011/04/13
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