Reborn German car maker Borgward will begin selling its models in the UK and Ireland next year.
The Stuttgart-based firm has entered into a strategic partnership with importer International Motors to begin importing right-hand-drive variants of its models, with a prospective start date in late 2019.
Founded in 1919 in Bremen, Borgward rivalled manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz throughout the 1950s, with cars such as the Hansa 1500, Isabella and P1000, before filing for bankruptcy in 1961.
Now owned by Beiqi Foton Motor, a subsidiary of Chinese giant BAIC, the reborn marque is targeting the global premium SUV market.
Petrol-engined variants of the Audi Q3-sized BX5 and larger BX7 are already available in Europe, but Borgward will soon reveal electric versions of each, the BXi5 and BXi7, taking aim at the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes-Benz EQC respectively.
The range-topping BX7 TS was revealed at the 2017 Guangzhou motor show and went on sale in Germany in early 2018, at a competitive price of €44,200.
An SUV-coupé, the BX6, was unveiled at the Beijing motor show earlier this year, with a right-hand-drive variant planned for South Africa.
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Volvo rival?
This is a Chinese car company
This is a Chinese car company pedalling Chinese products as 'German' when there is nothing German about them -and there is no actual manufacturing or technical link to the original (decidedly average) company which went bust 50 years ago. An 'office' in Stuttgart staffed by a descendant is intended to make Chinese-market buyers believe these are 'German' vehicles, when they are little more than re-bodied Beijing Auto (BAIC) Senova SUVs. A cynical marketing ploy, which European buyers will see through pretty quickly. This article is little more than a marketing campaign and should be labelled 'sponsored' quite clearly.
old brands
Can anyone think of an old brand that has been revived after decades of disuse that has actually been a success? Bugatti? That's it I think.
old brands
Ariel? Triumph motorbikes? However, I don't think Borgward has much kudos in the UK - really they are only Fotons with a Western brand name even though BAIC has a good presence in serious 4x4 vehicles. BTW I think 5wheels might be confusing Borgward with Borg Warner. Given how a big outfit like Great Wall couldn't or wouldn't keep up with European emissions regs I wouldn't hold my breath on Borgward making serious go in a market where up and coming MG and Ssangyong, not to mention Hyundai and Kia, already have some muscle/presence.