With a little from design and engineering companies Fioravanti of Italy and Eastone, both of which have bases in Shanghai, Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co Ltd, better known as BAIC, wants to take a shot at the domestic premium car segment and the long-wheelbase versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
For this reason, BAIC has prepared a new concept model named the C80K that it will premiere at next week’s Auto China 2012 in Beijing.
According to Autonews Europe, the C80K study hints at a possible production model that would allow BAIC to gain a foothold in China’s lucrative luxury segment, which recorded sales of 130,416 units from January to March 2012, an increase of 36.7 percent over the same period last year.
The C80K measures 5,203mm (204.89 inches) long and 1,915mm (75.39 inches) wide, and features a pillarless design.
Aside from its own lineup, BAIC produces Hyundai and Mercedes-branded vehicles for the Chinese market, while it has also acquired the intellectual rights to certain Saab models from General Motors.
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