This car was being tested together with some Hyundai and Kia vehicles, but it isn't either because it doesn't have neither Hyundai nor Kia design language. Our best guess is that this is the next generation Samsung SM3.
The car has similar styling themes to the extremely successful SM5/SM7, and the SM3 is definitely due for a refresh. Given SM5/7's success, it doesn’t surprise that the SM3 replacement apes the larger cars’ design themes. Given that the current SM3 rides on the previous gen Sentra/Almera/Sunny platform, it's probably safe to assume the new one would ride on the latest Nissan/Renault C-segment platform (FF-S).
The Japanese domestic market version of this platform is the Bluebird Sylphy and in fact the Sylphy looks similar in profile and proportion to the car pictured here – in much the same way that the larger Nissan Teana looks very similar to the Samsung SM5.
Samsung SM3 Spy Photos
Samsung SM3 Spy Photos
we think?
By Brian Potter
July 2, 2008 5:00 PM
Filed Under: Spy Photos
Comments
starex
July 2, 2008 5:29 PM
I´m Enrique García, from Spanish Autoblog...and that car is the brand new Chery A6. We saw it at Beijing Motor Show. Also there is a hatchback version of this car http://es.autoblog.com/2007/08/24/chery-fabrica-oficialmente-su-primer-millon-de-unidades/
Cyx
July 2, 2008 7:15 PM
I have own some Samsung cellphones,but I cant believe Samsung is also a automaker until I have read this article...
Moderator
July 3, 2008 1:36 PM
Because the president/CEO of Samsung is a car fanatic, it had always been a dream of his to add a Samsung Automobiles to his ever growing company. Why not? There's Samsung everything in Korea. Samsung electronics, insurances, heavy industries, constructions, and semiconductor to name just a few. So Samsung established Samsung Automobiles division in the late 90's and came out with a passenger car, SM3. The car itself was decent and competitive, but the financial situation in Asia was horrible at that time and as a result, Samsung Automobiles branch failed to survive on its own and was sold to Renault. And it was renamed Samsung-Renault in Korea, and Samsung still has some shares in the company. Although the name "Samsung-Renault" is strictly used in Korean domestic market, the cars themselves are rebadge engineered cars from Renault-Nissan platforms.
Moderator
July 3, 2008 1:41 PM
For those of you who want to learn more about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Samsung_Motors
wjaprep
July 2, 2008 10:51 PM
LG makes kitchen apliances, ok, but, Samsung makes cars...? My god, Ive missed alot....
jandrews90
July 2, 2008 11:07 PM
Samsung makes cars!!!???? I can't beleive I never knew this, are they really crappy and only sold in china or something?? I can't beleive Brian Potter is talking like this is common knowledge.
BabyMilo
July 3, 2008 1:15 AM
sence wen does samsung make cars??? i thought samsung made mobiles and tv's
Princepolo
July 3, 2008 4:37 AM
On the last pic this car has US Michigan plates. Judging by wheel base it is a replacement for Chevy Impala. Look at the front facia similar to Malibu. The door handles resemble new design found on Buicks.
korn0505
July 3, 2008 4:46 AM
I'm currently visiting Republic of Korea for vacation. I see a lot of Renault-Samsung cars around. They were originally established by "Samsung" group, however, they were sold to Renault long time ago.
mike649
July 3, 2008 8:51 AM
This china's CHERY A6......
http://img2.pcauto.com.cn/pcauto/0704/18/439085_DSC_1304.JPG
pscs
July 3, 2008 5:08 PM
Samsung!? Are you serious!? I know that Daewoo made cars and home appliances though...
WBR
July 4, 2008 7:01 PM
This is Chery A6 (or B21, depended on market) - mass production of this car will begin in 2009. http://www.autoreview.ru/archive/2007/17/interavto2007/pix/Chery/A6/_y1n2485_750.jpg
pchsh
July 4, 2008 9:41 PM
They've made their own cars since late 90s. It was established by Samsung group solely. Originally, their cars were from Nissan at first.. They used old Nissan Altima for SM5, and they facelifted that for years, and then they made new SM5 and SM7 from Nissan Teana. They also made SM3 from nissan bluebird, and a crossover model from Renault Koleos. Recently Samsung got their share for only about 10%.. Most of their shares are belong to Renault-Nissan alliance. I heard that next SM5 is going to be Renault Laguna.
CXV
July 8, 2008 1:16 AM
Samsung cars are based on several Nissan models. The SM3 is sold in the Middle East under the Nissan brand. This was a great move by Renault-Nissan to gain control of Samsung motors. If this is a Chery then I can see how some car companies from China are to get to tier 1 automakers. When Chery takes over Chrysler we may see this as the new neon. :-)
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