Production of the new Beijing Auto Shenbao D60 has officially started in China. The Shenbao D60 (绅宝D60) will debut on the 2014 Beijing Auto Show later this month and will launch in the China car market in August. The Beijing Auto Shenbao D60 is manufactured in a brand new factory in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, and operated by a new company called ‘Beiqi  Guangzhou Automobile Corporation’.

The D60 will be positioned between the upcoming Beijing Auto C50E and the Beijing Auto Shenbao D-Series. There will be two engines available: a new 177hp 1.8 turbo and an ex-Saab 2.0 turbo with 204hp. Size: 4650/1720/1450mm, wheelbase is 2675.

The Beijing Auto Shenbao D60 is based on the old Saab 9-3. Beijing Auto bought the rights to the Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 from GM in 2009, they also bought the rights to the Saab 2.0 turbo and 2.3 turbo.

The new factory has a current capacity of 150.000 cars a year and a planned capacity of 300.000 cars a year. The factory will manufacture cars under the Shenbao brand and cars under a new yet to unveil new-energy brand.