China's Sports Car Potential
by Stuart Schwartzapfel
Last month, at the Auto China show, Beijing Automotive unveiled a sports car concept dubbed the 700R. Unlike the B40 model, which the company unveiled at the same time and which bears a striking resemblance to the Jeep Wrangler, the 700R is a fresh and unique design for the up-and-coming Chinese auto market.
The car's defining design attributes lie along the vehicle's flanks, where a gradually rising character line marks the body side. Macho rear haunches create a sporty, forward-leaning posture. Another neat touch: the absence of a traditional, center-mounted grille. Instead, a long thin strip is positioned flush with the two headlamps. Pitch black wheels complete the fast and furious demeanor.
The Verdict: A sneak peek of Chinese design potential.
Stuart Schwartzapfel is a regular contributor to BusinessWeek.com. He has studied the automotive marketplace and works as an advertising and marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.
