Albar Leasing and Rental Company reported this morning to the stock exchange about receiving the import franchise for the Chinese BAIC models, which is in the process of entering the European market.
It is not yet clear which models will arrive, but the first ones will land here as early as 2024. Unlike some other Chinese manufacturers that have been launched in Israel in recent years, BAIC is not a Tesla-style start-up. The state-owned company was established in Beijing back in 1958, and initially produced models of the Russian GAZ. Even today, a significant part of its activity is the production of military and commercial vehicles, alongside collaborations with Mercedes and Hyundai. BAIC makes the new electric car it unveiled for Xiaomi. A decade ago, the company acquired the rights to produce the Swedish Saab models, which went bankrupt. In 2023 BAIC produced 1.7 million cars, 90% of them for the local market and continues to produce gasoline, diesel and electric vehicles at the same time. Its revenues reached 67.58 billion dollars.
The company is traded on the stock exchange in Hong Kong, with a value of 19.2 billion dollars.
The Beijing 3, 5 and 7 crossover models are a series of crossovers with gasoline engines, which will be able to compete with the Chery models marketed in Israel.
The electric models are marketed in China under the ArcFocus brand name and include the large electric sedan Alfa S, with a maximum power of 652 hp and a 93.6 kWh battery, and the crossover Alfa T based on it.
The company will launch the Alfa S5 this year as a direct competitor to the Model 3 and the BYD Seal, with a length of 4.82 meters, a width of 1.93 meters, a height of 1.48 meters and a wheelbase of 2.9 meters. The base version has 270 hp and a top speed of 180 km/h. It will be followed by a crossover based on it, Alfa T5.
The more interesting part of the company's offer is a series of off-road vehicles. The BJ40 Plus, for example, with a ladder chassis, a 2,000 cc turbo gasoline engine, 241 hp and 10 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. What's more important is an approach angle of 37 degrees, departure angle of 23 degrees and a ventral space of 22 cm. With a length of 4.64 meters, a width of 1.92 meters, a height of 1.87 meters and a wheelbase of 2.76 meters, this 5-seater SUV is shorter than the Jeep Wrangler, which some will recognize in the design of the American Jeep, but will be significantly cheaper from him.
The price of the Wrangler Sahara in Israel starts at about NIS 360,000. And there is also a new generation with the same name, BJ40, with a more modern design, 2,000 cc, 250 hp turbo gasoline engine.
BJ60, on the other hand, resembles the Jeep Grand Cherokee in dimensions, is also built on a ladder chassis and is equipped with a 2,000 cc turbo gasoline mild hybrid engine, and comes with 7 seats.
Or Alezra, chairman of the Albar Group, said: "I am excited about the new road partnership between Albar and the giant BAIC concern. This decision is the result of a long process of mutual learning. I have no doubt that the BAIC brand will become a leading brand in the Israeli automobile market." Alber Group CEO David Lankeri said: "We are proud to represent the automobile manufacturer BAIC in Israel, a company with decades of tradition and experience in the production of vehicles, which owns a wide and diverse portfolio of innovative vehicles Its arrival in Israel is real news for the Israeli consumer."
In addition to its leasing and rental activities, Alber is a huge Europcar car rental franchisee, importer of Harley Davidson and Triumph motorcycles in Israel, owner of companies from Messi road and towing services, a chain of garages, Alber Credit, Motoparts auto parts and more.