The latest addition to the growing ranks of motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors represented in South Africa is launching its first product range into the local market. The company is the Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd., (BAIC) from China and the product is the D20 small car, which arrives in both hatchback and sedan derivatives.
BAIC, together with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is investing up to
R11-billion in South Africa, including a full-scale vehicle manufacturing plant, which will be the first one in South Africa, and Africa Continent, in the past 40 years. The plant is situated in the Coega Industrial Development Zone in Port Elizabeth. The construction of the first stage of the manufacturing facility is currently underway and the production is scheduled to start in early 2018.
However, BAIC is not waiting for the local assembly in South Africa to start selling cars and is now beginning to roll out its model range, starting with the D20 small car, which is made in China. It is a competitively-priced entrant in the lower end of the local passenger car market, but its quality and standard equipment levels are considered a cut above many of its competitors.
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BAIC also has a styling studio in Turin, Italy, while its international expansion programme has seen it set up production plants in 12 countries around the world already.
BAIC has a technology sharing agreement with Mercedes-Benz and the D20 hatch and sedan range being launched in South Africa is built on the basic platform developed by Mercedes-Benz for its Smart ForFour small car, so it uses modern technology.
The local D20 range consists of five hatchback models and one sedan. There is the choice of a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engine and a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission in the hatchback derivative, while the sedan has the 1.5-litre engine and automatic transmission.
Both the engines are of a new design and comply with Euro V emission regulations as well as being fuel efficient.
Features of the Comfort model extend to rear foglamps, auto-on headlamps, rain sensor that switches on the windscreen wiper (except 1.3-litre model), airbags for the driver and front passenger, electric windows, leather-trimmed steering wheel, reversing radar with audible and visual warning system, height adjustable headlights and automatic illumination of the luggage compartment.
There are two levels of trim and equipment for the D20: Comfort and Fashion. The Fashion level includes standard equipment such as an electric sunroof, day-time running lights, alloy wheels, automatic folding exterior rear-view mirrors, audio system with 6.5-inch touch screen, GPS, USB, CD player, radio and six speakers with speed-sensitive sound level adjustment.
One of its strong points is the integrity of its bodyshell, which includes the use of high tensile steel and laser welding to make a strong safety cell.
The BAIC D20 model range will be sold and served by a newly-established, national network of 21 dealers covering most of the key cities and towns in the country.
The D20 is covered by a 5-year/120 000km warranty with service intervals of 10 000km. There is a free service at 3 000km. Service and maintenance plans are an option from the dealers.
