China’s Qoros Brand Set to Launch In Europe

Qoros, a brand created by a six-year-old partnership between China's Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. and industrial holding company Israel Corp., will introduce its first production model in Europe later this year.

Qoros Auto Co. Ltd., formerly known as Chery Quantum Auto, will reveal a production version of the GQ3 compact family sedan at the Geneva auto show next month, along with concepts of hybrid and wagon variants that could share the same platform.

All three models were designed under Gert Volker Hildebrand, who worked at Mitsubishi, Opel and SEAT before styling the BMW Mini. He joined Qoros in January 2012.

Qoros has not yet announced pricing, indicated sales targets or listed the countries in which the GQ3 will be offered. The car will compete with European editions of such models as the Hyundai i30 ($22,800) or Czech-built Skoda Rapid five-door hatchback (about $20,300).

Qoros will build the GQ3 at a plant currently under construction in Changshu. The company says it will introduce the model in China in the second half of 2013 and roll out several additional models at a rate of one every six months.

The Changshu facility has annual capacity to make 150,000 vehicles but could be expanded to triple its output.