Dongfeng Motor Corp. is developing seven gasoline engines, ranging in size from 1.3 to 2.4 liters, for its portfolio of passenger vehicles to be built in the coming few years, says the company's deputy general manager Li Shaozhu.

 

Li made the remark on April 20 in Shanghai at the 2009 China International Auto Show where Dongfeng debuted its first own-brand sedan, the Aeolus S30.

 

The S30 itself is powered by an 1.6 liter gasoline engine supplied by Dongfeng's joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen; Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Co. This is because Dongfeng itself doesn't yet have small displacement engines for passenger vehicles.

 

Li says the S30 will be rolled off the production line in the central China city of Wuhan in May.

 

In addition to the S30, Dongfeng also debuted a pure electric small concept car and a midsize concept sedan at the show, along with a seven-seat van and a small hatchback model.

 

Dongfeng mainly produces commercial trucks and buses. In 2007 it announced a plan to build a full line of passenger vehicles under the brand of Aeolus.

 

Li says Dongfeng is now developing more than ten models under the Aeolus brand, most of which are in the sub-compact, compact and midsize segments.

 

"These three segments take up about 80 percent of overall passenger vehicle sales in China," he adds.

 

Li also says Dongfeng has taken on global suppliers such as Bosch, Delphi, Visteon, Lear and Aisin to help develop its new vehicles.

 

State-owned Dongfeng is a major state-owned automaker.