Beijing Automotive (BAIC) has officially entered our local market, introducing two vehicles as their initial test of the waters.

A little background about the BAIC brand: It is the 6th largest car brand in China. BAIC also has several sub-brands, including Arcfox, Changhe, Ruili Doda, and Foton Motor, the truck brand.

First, the X55 is marketed as a C-segment SUV, mainly rivaling the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Proton X70. The estimated price for the X55 is around RM12X,XXX to RM14X,XXX, with 2 variants( Standard/Premium) available. 

Size comparison:
- BAIC X55： 
4,620 x 1,886 x 1,680，2,735mm
- Honda CR-V：
4,691 x 1,866 x 1,691，2,700mm
- Mazda CX-5：
4,550 x 1,840 x 1,675，2,700mm
（L x W x H, Wheelbase）

The spec of the X55 is great, featuring things like 19-inch alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, a digital driver display, an electronic parking brake, dual-zone air conditioning, a 360º surround-view camera, leather-wrapped upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and a built-in refrigerator.

Powering the X55 is a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 188PS and 305Nm, mated to a 7DCT transmission with front-wheel drive. It offers four driving modes: Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Smart. The X55 features a McPherson suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear.

On the other hand, the BJ40 is a true off-roader, built on a body-on-frame chassis. It's not a shower; this vehicle is one of the favorite among off-road enthusiasts in it's home China. Estimated selling price is around RM18X,XXX - RM19X,XXX. 

The BJ40 features a double wishbone suspension at the front and a rigid axle with a multi-link setup at the rear. Basic car specification shown underneath:
Length: 4,645mm
Width: 1,925mm
Height: 1,871mm
Wheelbase: 2,745mm
Approach angle: 37º
Departure angle: 31º
Ground clearance: 210mm
Weight: 2.5 tons

The BJ40 Plus has been introduced locally as a single model, powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 224PS and 380Nm. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and features a 4WD system.

The BJ40 also features impressive equipment such as 17-inch alloy wheels, a split tailgate, a digital driver display, an electronic parking brake, dual-zone air conditioning, a 360º surround-view camera, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a tow hook, a 'targa' removable roof, a rear differential lock, leather-wrapped upholstery, and an original anti-roll cage.

Both cars are CBU from China and are now available for booking through BAIC. If you’re interested in these models, feel free to visit their showroom at Wisma Consplant 2, Subang.