China’s importance to the luxury car market is no longer something questionable. Carmakers from the US to Stuttgart are at this year’s event, eager to develop a share of the world’s fastest growing car market.
Many manufactures are taking existing models, painting parts gold, putting dragons on them and giving them Chinese name’s. This is the latest craze where the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Bugatti are trying to win support from the Chinese people.
As we have already reported that Ferrari have commissioned a special edition 458 Italia only destined for China and there will be just 20 built. This special edition Italia is finished in a bespoke colour called Marco Polo Red, which was created specifically. It also has gold Alloy Wheels, a golden dragon on the bonnet and black livery stripes symbolising a racing track. Ferrari say: “The inspiration came from the old Chinese idiom, meaning the vigour and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse.”
This week Bugatti unveiled their new Veyron Grand Sport Wei Long. It is a version of the Grand Sport that’s even more exclusive. Only one unit of the Veyron GS Wei Long will be made and it’s currently one sale in China as one of the last such models ever to be produced.
This exclusive Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport ‘Wei Long’ is advertised with a sticker price of 1.53 million euros or over 2 million dollars. It has been developed in conjunction with Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur, the same company that did the L’Or Blanc Veyron Grand Sport.
Aston Martin unveiled three hand crafted limited edition Dragon 88 models at the 2012 Beijing International Auto Show. Each cars feature bespoke details of the dragon symbol. 24-carat gold wing badges and special paint “to chime with traditional Chinese art and imagery.”
“The stunning Dragon 88 sports cars – I am happy to present these iconic cars on the world stage here in Beijing,” said Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin.
11 new Aston Martin dealerships will open in China soon, meaning the company will now focus huge resources in this part of the world. The reason to produce 88 Dragon cars is because the number 88 is lucky in China.
It's hard to believe that China's auto market won't hit the 30 million mark and keep on growing. No wonder the Beijing Motor Show is such a big deal.
