Qoros wows fans with premium mobility

Qoros' executives and a representative of the automaker's partner, China Mobile IoT Co, at the launch ceremony of their cooperation agreement to develop smart connectivity in cars. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese automaker Qoros has unveiled a new product series called Model Young as part of its drive to offer new premium mobility to China's growing mature customers.

The first model, the Model Young SUV, is wowing fans with its simple but appealing design and outstanding quality at the ongoing Chengdu Motor Show.

"The products in this series are more dynamic and fashionable," said Qoros CEO Leon Liu.

The Model Young series are built on the T1X platform that Qoros developed with its parent company Chery Auto and British premium carmaker Jaguar Land Rover.

Featuring industry-leading technology, the platform extends to products with different powertrains, including naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged units, as well as plug-in hybrids.

Liu said the new platform was a good complement to Qoros' current two state-of-the-art platforms: the CF1X, on which the Qoros 3 and Qoros 5 models are based, and the new energy vehicle GEV platform for its Model K-EV series.

The Qoros 3 compact car was the first China-built model to receive a five-star rating under new European car safety standards, which has earned Qoros the reputation as being a leading new premium car brand in China.

Since its establishment in 2007, Qoros has been dedicated to first-class quality, distinctive and elegant design and innovative user experience.

Qoros Chairman Chen Anning said: "Customers are getting more mature in China. They are not necessarily interested in traditional premium brands, but are more inclined to choose ones that have design, quality and technology all in one."

As Qoros enters a new stage of development, Liu has charted out a dual strategy featuring both gasoline-powered cars and new energy vehicles.

He said Qoros is speeding up its efforts in the research and development of its QamFree engines with European racecar maker FreeValve, the sister company of Koenigsegg.

The revolutionary engine can greatly enhance a car's performance while cutting fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent.

Liu said the automaker was actively pushing forward its new energy vehicle strategy as well as smart mobility, adding that its autonomous mule car is conducting situation tests.

Qoros is also making strides in other aspects. It has joined hands with China Mobile's internet of things subsidiary, to offer faster and more reliable 5G-based smart connectivity system on its models.

A wholly owned unit of China Mobile, the company is a major provider of IoT-based chips, modules and applications.

"We are pleased to join hands with the China Mobile IoT Company to promote the development of smart connectivity in cars," Liu said.

"Qoros is a leader in onboard smart connectivity. Our QorosQloud system has many fans and we are to install its 3.0 version in our 2018 cars."

QorosQloud 1.0 was developed in 2011, when it was the most advanced of its kind. Its latest version, compatible with different platforms, will focus on smart mobility but feature other business functions.

"We offer good and right products, and while we strengthen cooperation with our dealers, we will explore others ways to boost our sales, including exports and e-commerce," Liu added.

"Our goal is to make Qoros a mainstream brand by 2020."

As part of its new marketing efforts, Qoros introduced Crazy Qoros, an online sales brand marketing campaign, in late July, which Liu said has attracted more than 200 million views so far and thus greatly enhanced market awareness of Qooros.

It has received an order of 30,000 cars from Chinese conglomerate JHZX Group and the cars will be delivered in two years, according to Qoros.