Following the recent launch of its first own brand ‘Luxgen’, Yulon has unveiled a second brand, ‘Tobe’ – and the first car is a rebadged Geely.
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Local media reports say that Yulon plans to start exporting Tobe cars to Vietnam next month, which will be followed shortly by sales to the Philippines, China and the Middle East.
Tobe cars are a revamped model based on the Panda car produced by China’s Geely, a technology partner of Yulon.
Sources at Yulon say that major parts of the car’s content – including the engine, car seats, gears and windshield – were designed or enhanced in Taiwan to cater to local demand and meet stricter regulations than apply in mainland China.
Yulon Tobe and Geely are going to work more closely on exporting Tobe cars, either using the Tobe or Geely brand when marketing them in different markets in the future.
Yulon Tobe chairman Chen Kuo-rong said Tobe was the first product of the company’s cooperation with China in terms of technology transfer, adding that Yulon’s strength in electric cars could be applied to Tobe cars.
Taiwanese consumers would see the first Tobe 1,300cc M’ Car (pronounced my-car) hit the road in January, with a price tag of about NT$400,000.
“This is the price range wherein we see no competition at all,” said Chen, adding that university students and young adults would be drawn to its affordability.
The company expects to sell up to 500 M’ Cars per month in Taiwan next year. It also hopes to launch an electric-version when the market allows.
