Besturn


Besturn, or later Bestune is an automotive marque owned by the Chinese automaker FAW Group.
With products based on older Mazda sedans, Besturn targets upper middle-class Chinese consumers. FAW, Besturn's owner, also manufactures the Chinese market version of the car many Besturn products are based on, the Mazda 6, and Besturn models were initially produced in FAW's Mazda factories.

History

Besturn began to sell its vehicles in the Russian market in 2012 with the B50 as the first model sold, which debuted at the 2012 Moscow International Automobile Salon. It had talks to have a joint venture with Avtotor to have the Besturn X80 manufactured in Russia in 2015. The Besturn X80 started manufacture in Russia in April 2017 and FAW mentions that it would sell at least two to three more models by 2018.

Models

The Besturn B50 made its debut in 2009.
The Besturn B70 made its debut in 2006. It is based on an older Mazda 6 and uses the Ford CD3 platform. The Besturn B50 was released in 2009 and is also derived from a Mazda 6.
As of 2011, future models include the Mazda 6-derived B90.

Sales

The 134,500 units sold in 2010 constituted a substantial increase over the 70,000 of the prior year. Brand popularity for Besturn may have dipped between 2011-2012.

Relationship with Hongqi

The products of another FAW brand, Hongqi, may be easily confused with Besturn cars. Until 2011, the two brands shared badging, and in 2008, due to flagging sales, Hongqi showrooms were merged those of Besturn. It was thought that giving the Hongqi brand more sales outlets would increase sales.