- The latest Chinese brand to set up shop here has revealed its local pricing and dealer network.
- BAIC will kick off its local operation with seven dealerships and UDC as a finance partner.
- The range starts with the $37,990 X55 SUV, but all models get a $3000 discount as part of a launch promotion.
BAIC, the latest Chinese brand to enter the New Zealand market, has officially launched its vehicle line up in New Zealand, while also revealing pricing and a network of seven sales and service outlets.
The brand’s entry into the local market includes a promotional launch offer available until June 1, which provides a $3000 reduction on the standard retail prices of its first two offerings here, the X55 crossover and the B30 SUV.
Under this incentive, the X55 Premium will start the range at $34,990, after which it will return to $37,990. The X55 is a mid-size crossover SUV that is powered by a 138kW/305Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired up to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission driving the front wheels.
Standard equipment for the X55 includes ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, and a power tailgate, while the interior features a 10.1-inch central control screen alongside a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel and wireless phone connectivity. A chilled centre console cubby is also standard, as is panoramic sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The B30 is a larger, chunkier SUV with a distinctly off-road look to it, and is offered in three variants with powertrain options including the same 1.5-litre turbo engine as the X55 or a hybrid system available in both two-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The B30 range begins with the Elite Adventure that is powered solely by the ICE engine driving the front wheels, and is priced at $39,990, increasing to $42,990 post-launch, while the Premium Adventure HEV lands at $44,990 ($47,990 after June 1) and adds the hybrid powertrain that increases the total output to 246kW and 550Nm.
The top-spec B30 Premium Adventure HEV All-Wheel Drive is priced at $49,990 during the launch period (eventually rising to $52,990) and gets a second electric motor on the rear axle that pumps outputs up to 301kW and 685Nm.
The AWD B30 is genuinely positioned as a capable off-roader, and features 215mm of ground clearance, a 600mm wading depth, Hill Descent Control, and Hill Hold Control, along with a 25-degree approach angle, a 30-degree departure angle, and specialised drive modes for mud, sand, and wading.
Safety features for both the X55 and B30 include six airbags and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot detection. The X55 includes Lane Departure Warning, while the B30 is equipped with Lane Keep Assist and Intelligent Cruise Assist.
BAIC has also introduced a range of adventure-oriented accessories, such as roof platforms, side ladders, nitrogen shock absorbers, and protective guards for the engine and motor. These accessories are also subject to special launch pricing until June 1.
The company says its initial dealership footprint covers approximately 65 percent of the New Zealand market, and locations include Armstrong’s sites in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, as well as Takanini Auto Group, Auckland Auto Group in Albany, Waikato Auto Group in Hamilton, and Tauranga Motor Group, with plans to expand the network further, particularly into the South Island, as the brand grows.
All models include a standard warranty that covers seven years with unlimited kilometres, including roadside assistance. The B30 hybrid battery carries a separate eight-year warranty, and maintenance is scheduled every 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, with optional service plans available for durations of three, four, or five years.
“BAIC has almost 70-years of engineering experience, is established in more than 90 countries around the world and has enjoyed recent award-winning success in righthand drive markets such as South Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia. Now it's our turn to experience the quality and prowess of these acclaimed, accessible and competitively positioned SUV," said Simon Rutherford, CEO Auto Distribution Holdings Limited, BAIC's New Zealand distributor.
"We have lofty aspirations for the brand and are confident that we can develop an extensive nationwide network as we grow the product offering to serve the interests of BAIC owners well into the future. We are super-excited to be bringing BAIC to New Zealand and can’t wait for Kiwis to get behind the wheel and experience these incredible new products for themselves."
