Chinese Auto Maker Qoros Opens First European Dealership in Slovakia

VIENNA – Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is the home of the first European showroom for new Chinese auto maker Qoros.

Qoros, the 50-50 joint venture between China’s Chery and the Israel Corp. investment group, debuted at this year’s Geneva auto show.

Auto Palace Panonska, a Bratislava-based Mazda and Mitsubishi dealership that belongs to the Dutch AutoBinck Holding, has added Qoros to its import portfolio.

Qoros’ dealership in Bratislava is the first step in an initiative to develop a full-scale European distribution operation, the auto maker says.

Sales will start with the Qoros 3 Sedan front-wheel-drive model. The first version available in Slovakia is the top-of-the-range Elegance, powered by a 156-hp turbocharged 1.6L 4-cyl. gasoline engine that meets Euro 5 emissions standards. The car is priced from €20,960 ($27,789), including tax.

However, the auto maker says the Qoros 3 Sedan will be priced well below €20,000 when it is fully introduced in Europe.

“This is a very interesting period for Qoros, and although sales volume is not our primary objective, Slovakia is one of the prime markets in Europe for sedans,” Cristiano Carlutti, Qoros director-sales and marketing for Europe and Middle East, says in a statement.

“Slovakia will be very useful once we start to increase our presence in Central and Western Europe, and when more models become available, as well as a new generation of highly efficient engines.”

Vladimir Karovic, senior salesman at Auto Palace Panonska with responsibility for Qoros, says there are two cars in the showroom and one available for test drives. The primary objective at this time is to provide the auto maker with feedback about customer reactions.

The Qoros 3 Sedan goes on sale in China in the year’s fourth quarter through a dealer network of about 80 outlets.

The sedan, produced at a new plant in Changshu, is the first of an all-new range of models being designed and engineered by an international team, the auto maker says, noting a significant portion of the Qoros 3 Sedan design and engineering was done by Magna Steyr in Europe.

Qoros says its other global suppliers include TRW, Continental, Bosch, Getrag, Benteler, Lear, Microsoft, Harman, Neusoft-Alpine and Iconmobile.