January 3 eventually saw the stirring awarding ceremony for the selection of “2005 CCTV Chinese Car” sponsored by CCTV Economy through nearly one month of intense evaluation, as a result, the eight prizes went to the eight models of eight enterprises, of which the crown of “2005 CCTV Chinese Car” was taken by FAW Audi’s Audi A6L. In the selection of “annual Chinese independent brand model” attracting extensive attention of the Chinese people, Tianjin FAW’s Xiali New N3 finally beat the other five nominees to clinch the title of “2005 CCTV Chinese Independent Brand Model”.

Sources said, although it was the second selection sponsored by CCTV on an annual basis, the prize of “annual independent brand model” was newly-added this year, this reflected, from one aspect, the enormous progress of independent brands in 2005. According to the statistics released by National Passenger Car Information Exchange Association, the sales of Chinese independent brand cars in the domestic market in 2004 was 462,500, accounting for 20.60% of the total sales of the domestic market in the year, while the figure soared up to 555,500 between January to October this year, accounting for 24.70% of the total sales.

Xiali New N3, winner of the title of “annual independent brand mode” this time, had remarkable performance in the market. As a high-end model of Tianjin FAW’s Xiali series and a “flagship” product in the market of getting-started economical family cars, Xiali New N3 has risen quickly to the focus of the market since its entry into the market across the country in September. Data shows that it achieved sales of 6,000 in the first month alone after its entry into the market so as to become a Xiali’s new secret weapon of developing the market rapidly, the hot-seller not only made Tianjin FAW’s total sales top 200,000, but helped Xiali finally beat international brands like Excelle and Elantra to win the title of “2005 Chinese Champion in Sales of Single Brand Cars”, creating the myth of annual sales of an independent brand.

It was generally agreed that Xiali New N3 was worthy its title of “2005 CCTV Chinese Independent Brand Model”. CCTV Economy described the cause of its winning, “Xiali New N3 boasts good economy, dramatically improved performance, huge market potential and low after-sale expenditure.” Lin Jian, senior engineer of Department of Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University, shared the same opinion, Xiali series having been equipped with 1.0L, 1.1L, 13L and 1.4L engines can meet diversified market demands and promises great potential. Also, some industrial insiders expressed it was exceptionally commendable of such a new car having just entered the market for only four months as Xiali New N3 to perform so brilliantly in the market, let alone the fact that it was researched and developed completely independently, thus Xiali New N3 is well worthy of its title of “2005 CCTV Chinese Independent Brand Car”.

Chen Yandong, assistant general manager of Tianjin FAW, expressed as receiving the award, “Independent brand is crucial to establishing the core competitiveness of the Chinese auto industry in the integration of the Chinese auto market and the world market, while independent R & D is of extraordinary importance.” Xiali New N3’s winning the prize acknowledged the independent R & D mode introduction-digestion-assimilation-innovation” on the one hand, and showed an encouraging step of Tianjin FAW on its way of “popular car”. At last, Chen believed that this prize was a new start instead of the destination; Chinese independent brands shouldered heavy responsibilities, and Tianjin FAW should make greater efforts in the future.