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Thu, Apr 26, 2012
The New Paper
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Victoria Beckham designs car to woo China's super-rich

Now, you can own a limited edition Victoria Beckham-designed car.

The British fashion designer and former Spice Girl told Reuters she had her soccer-superstar husband David Beckham "in mind" when she helped create a special edition of Range Rover's Evoque off-road vehicle at Auto China 2012.

She said: "I've stayed very true to myself. I've designed a car that I want to drive, a car that I think David wants to drive," she told Reuters in an interview on Sunday in Beijing, where she was promoting the vehicle.

This "baby" off-roader bearing her name is aimed at well-heeled customers who think the standard Evoque just isn't posh enough. Only 200 will be made.

It is also designed to woo the super-rich and growing middle class in China, where the first models will be sold, reported The Daily Mail.

And with a price tag of £80,000 (S$160,000) - or around double the cost of the equivalent standard Evoque in UK - buyers will pay heavily for the privilege of owning one of these exclusive cars.

The finished product was unveiled by Mrs Beckham in Beijing on Sunday, on the eve of the city's Auto China motor show.

At her launch, she wore a close-fitting cream-and-brown dress with matching high-heeled, knee-high boots from her own Victoria Beckham autumn fashion collection.

The off-roader has specially designed 20-inch gloss-black forged alloy wheels with discrete rose gold accents.

She even specified soft, deep-pile luxury mohair floor mats to reflect childhood memories of running barefoot, reported The Daily Mail.

Major carmakers have gathered for China's leading auto show, seeking an edge in the world's largest automobile market.

Top car market

China emerged as the world's top car market in 2009, but the sector stalled last year, with sales rising just 2.5 per cent to reach 18.5 million units, after the government rolled back car purchase incentives, reported AFP.

Organisers say 120 new models will be launched at the exhibition, which runs until May 2.

Toyota, BMW, Honda and China's BYD, backed by Warren Buffett, have all announced they will unveil electric or hybrid cars as part of a total of 88 new energy vehicles to be displayed at the show.

Chrysler Group also announced it will sell a dragon-themed Jeep, with gold-toned accents and dragon designs on headrests and elsewhere, reported AP.

Ford Motor also premiered its latest SUV, the scaled-down EcoSport, designed for "urban adventurers" with a 1-litre engine.

Wholly Chinese manufacturers hold just 30 per cent of their home country's market and are battling international makers, which enjoy better brand recognition and reputations for higher quality.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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