The Car That Will Help Big Automakers Game China's New Rules

(Bloomberg) -- Automakers typically want their cars to stand out. However, China's push for greener vehicles is prompting Toyota, Fiat Chrysler, Honda and Mitsubishi to resort to an unusual move: they're set to sell the same car.

The four carmakers all plan to sell an electrified SUV developed by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., the Chinese manufacturing partner they share. Each brand will have their own name emblazoned at the rear of the car, but the look will be the same. The approach -- atypical in an industry where distinct design is key to gaining an edge -- will help them meet China's new, stricter emissions standards more quickly, giving them time to keep working on their own unique electric models.

Carmakers are trying various tactics to avoid being placed at a disadvantage by the new regulations in the world's largest auto market. Designed to make China's roads greener, the rules favor electric-car makers while presenting a threat to the profit margins of the vast majority of auto manufacturers that still rely on gas guzzlers for most of their revenue.

Toyota Motor Corp. is selling a pure-electric version of the Guangzhou Auto SUV, called GS4, while Mitsubishi Motors Corp. offers EV and plug-in hybrid variants. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Honda Motor Co. are planning gasoline-hybrid versions of the car, according to research firm IHS Markit.

Cap and Trade

The variants will all carry Guangzhou Auto's Trumpchi badge in the front, and the name of the foreign maker's local joint venture on the back. Prices vary by specifications offered by each carmaker. An EV model sold by Mitsubishi, named Eupheme, costs about $20,000, while Toyota's version named ix4 starts from about $23,600.

Under China's so-called cap-and-trade policy, automakers must obtain a new-energy vehicle score -- which is linked to the production of various types of zero- and low-emission vehicles -- starting January 2019. Those who fail to comply must buy credits.

Guangzhou Auto started sales of the gasoline-powered Trumpchi GS4 in 2015 and it quickly became its best-selling model. It added a plug-in hybrid version in June 2017 and sold 6,707 units of that variant this year through September, making it one of the top-selling gasoline-electric models.

“It's a model with proven sales track record,” said Wang Shan, an auto analyst with IHS Markit. “Even if it may not be a money-making business, it's still better for the carmakers to sell this model than to buy credits.”

Toyota said it expects the new model to be counted as a plus credit for its venture with Guangzhou Auto, and that it is developing its own battery electric vehicle toward 2020. Honda and Fiat Chrysler declined to comment on future model production.

--With assistance from Tian Ying.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ma Jie in Tokyo at jma124@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anand Krishnamoorthy at anandk@bloomberg.net, Ville Heiskanen, Sam Nagarajan

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