The 14th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition opened this week to a gala show of futuristic concept car features from various global car manufacturers. Standing out among them is a quirky research concept car – the McCar from Geely, the Chinese automaker and owner of Volvo. This hybrid-electric car is set as a package concept for the times when the battery dies out.
The twin-seater McCar equipped with a scooter packed in its hutch marks a vivid attraction for global consumers. The tiny scooter with an output of about 18mph can take one stranded driver about 18 miles before requiring a recharge for about two hours to recuperate. On the other hand, the McCar with its 12kWh battery version has a range of 93 miles, a top speed of 52mph and takes six hours to recharge. Equivalent figures for the 8kWh plug-in hybrid are 31 miles on electric power and 373 miles on petrol and battery, with a top speed of 80mph and a recharge time of two hours.
A Geely spokesperson further opined that the response to this research project at the show has encouraged them to plan mass production of electric and hybrid cars by the end of next year inside China as well as their European counterpart. China having braved the financial crisis years successfully, has emerged as the world’s biggest auto market. To chip in this booming market, manufacturers from around the world are using this week’s Shanghai show to get in touch with the consumers directly. The presence of global phenomenal auto manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Citroen, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Subaru, Volvo and Chevrolet reveals their eagerness.
Via: Boston News/Telegraph/AutoMotto
