SHANGHAI --  To expand its lineup, Zotye Holding Group has begun assembling its version of the Fiat Multipla van in China. 

 

Zotye is assembling the vans at its plant in Changsha, Hunan province, from kits shipped from Italy. 

 

The re-vamped van, now called the Multiplan, has been modified in Italy, says a senior Zotye manager who declined to be identified. All parts are made in Italy.

 

Zotye is working to completely localize production of the van. Once this has been achieved the vehicle can then be exported. Export plans for the vehicle are in the planning stages.

 

The van can be adapted to carry people or goods. The back seats can be moved to create more storage space. The front seats can be pushed nearly horizontal to make for a siesta. The vehicle has a panoramic sunroof.

 

The vehicle has a 1.6-liter petrol engine and a five-speed manual gearbox.

 

It is expected to sell for 138,800 yuan ($20,312). Zotye says 500  dealers across the country will show the car.

 

The van will compete with Buick's GL8, which sells for 288,000 yuan ($42,139) and Chery's Riich2, which sells for under 57,000 yuan ($8339), according to data from Automotive Resources Asia, a division of J.D. Power.

 

Zotye also plans its own version the Lancia Lybra.

 

In other Zotye news:

 

-- A senior executive says the company has developed an electric SUV for North America. The vehicle, based on the Zotye 2008 SUV, is currently being tested at the China Automotive Research Test Center in Tianjin. 

 

The electric Zotye SUV is expected to be sent to the United States later this year for test runs.

 

-- Zotye's flagship vehicle, the Zotye 2008 SUV, has been upgraded, and the new version was launched late 2008. Its new model name is the Zotye 5008.

 

Zotye will begin export of knockdown kits to India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam this year. In India, the automaker is working with Mahindra & Mahindra, says the executive.

 

Zotye's main export markets are Columbia, Algeria and Syria.

 

The automaker is currently building 200 SUVs a day at its plant in Yongkang City, Zhejiang province, company president Wu Jianzhong is quoted as saying.

 

In 2007, Zotye exported 10,050 Zotye SUVs and sold approximately 20,000 units domestically.