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A Chinese-made car is set to make its international movie debut in the fourth Transformers film next year in a product placement aimed at raising the profile of Chinese models abroad.
The Trumpchi E-jet, a sleek, plug-in electric hybrid developed by state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd (GAC) , will feature in Transformers: Age of Extinction, due for release in the middle of next year.
The Transformers series has previously featured other Chinese brands, including PC and TV makers and a leading leisurewear company. The movies are among the most popular to be released in China, with Transformers 3, Dark of the Moon, grossing $165 million in 2011.
“Product placements with Transformers would boost the profile of GAC’s car brands both at home and abroad,” said a source close to the carmaker, which has joint ventures with Fiat, Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
A spokesperson for Paramount Pictures, the movie’s distributor, said the company wouldn’t confirm specific brands until nearer the release date.
The new movie is being filmed in both the US and China. The film’s producer, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, told the Beijing News earlier this month the movie would feature locally-made cars. “The world’s coolest, most exciting cars will appear in the film, including Chinese vehicles, so whether you’re a car enthusiast or not, it will be a feast for the eyes,” he said.
The E-jet, which GAC showed off at the Detroit auto show in January, is a concept car.
* FilmWeekly
