How did this car get here?

My Dark and Foreboding Mind........... ^ | 04-13-11 | Red Badger

[Red Badger]

This is a picture of the Chery QQ. It is made in CHINA. There is one on a USED CAR LOT near my house in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

Price: $2400.

They have no dealerships or distribution network in the USA. They had proposed to sell these cars here back in 2005. They had deals with Chrysler and later Nissan, but since the 2008 crash and subsequent government takeover of Chrysler, that deal has died. As far as I know, this model has not passed any EPA or NHSTA tests in order to be allowed to be imported. They have had LEGAL problems with GM saying that the car is a rip-off of the of the Daewoo Matiz (which is marketed outside South Korea as the Chevrolet Spark).

My question is: How did this car get here?........

[dblshot]

I found this at Autoblog; We all know that GM has serious beef with Chinese auto maker Chery. GM is suing Chery over the QQ (shown), a mini car that GM claims Chery copied from GM-Daewoo's Matiz, which GM currently sells as the Chevrolet Spark in China. So far, the court battle hasn't gotten anywhere as GM has failed to produce any evidence on how Chery gained information about Spark's appearance by illegal means. To add insult to injury, according to recently-released sales data, during the first 7 months of 2005, Chery QQ sold 61,633 units compared to Chevrolet Spark's 15,912 units, out-selling the Spark nearly 4 to 1. In a crowded segment with 20 different makes including the likes of VW Polo, Buick Kaiyue HRV and Fiat Palio, how did Chery QQ manage to rise to the top and control a dominant 18.72% of the market share within only two years since its introduction? If you would suspend your judgment on the alleged IP infringement issue, we have a detailed analysis that will show you exactly how… 1.Design: QQ�s modern appearance satisfies its target customer�s (China�s youth) need for self-expression. 2.Safety: QQ continues to improve its safety features � introducing front driver and passenger airbags as standard features on its �Super 05� model. 3.Technology: Chery deployed a wide array of technology developed for its mid to high-end models on the QQ, giving the customers great bang for the buck. 4.Cost: Priced at $3,600, QQ is $1,000 cheaper than the Spark. The good fuel efficiency and cheap parts makes QQ cheap to maintain. 5.Efficiency: Its miniature size makes it easy to park in China�s crowded streets yet its interior offers reasonable room. 6.Quality: Through continuous improvement, QQ has earned the consumers� trust. In a 2004 J.D. Power quality study, QQ recorded 20% less issues than its competitors, placing it first in the segment. 7.Marketing: Using unconventional marketing tactics such as producing QQ-inspired driving music further separates QQ from the pack. Having said all that, what would you do if Malcolm Bricklin decides to bring the 2nd-gen QQ, WOW (shown on right), to his Visionary Vehicles showrooms and sell them for less than $4,000?

[garyhope]

Excellent. Thank you. I still like the Talking Heads, but I’m not too keen on David Byrne. Too pretentious, self-indulgent, narcissistic, etc. Good writer and conceptualist though.

[ClearCase_guy]

The swallow may fly south with the sun, and the house martin or the plover may seek warmer climes in winter, yet these are not strangers to our land.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Do you have my beautiful house and large automobile too?

If so, I'll be right over.

[Red in Blue PA]

At $2400 I’ll take two

Do you need the number for the Suicide Hotline?

[Puppage]

Maybe hidden in a cargo container?

Or, a back pocket.

[Noumenon]

Actually, it has "Trabant" written all over it.

[TankerKC]

Chevy Spark. GM claims the QQ is a knock off (the doors are interchangeable)

[ExGeeEye]

Do you mean to suggest that Cherrys migrate?

[Crim]

PING?

That’s racist!

*snicker*

[Leo Farnsworth]

“This is what cars would cost if not for unions.”

Unions did not require cars to have airbags.

The Government did - Jimmy Carter era.

Ever buy an airbag? Try $1,000+ to replace one.

New cars have six or more.

It's the US Government regulation, followed by Unions.

In this instance, blame the Government for the price of autos.

[ClearCase_guy]

It could have been carried.

[Cheburashka]

Gee, how about going to the used car lot and asking them how it got to this country.

[CodeToad]

Wow! You wouldn’t want an airbag in that damned thing. It would just hold you in place until the engine could beat you to death!

[Nickname]

Less QQ more pew pew!

(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

[Red Badger]

And I’m sure the Used Car Dealer will give me a completely honest and truthful history of this fine car............

[Red Badger]

LQQK....................

[katana]

Walmart special?

PS: $2,400 is probably higher than the original sticker price after conversion from Yuan.

[Tijeras_Slim]

[Red Badger]

I’d bet on the SMART Car.................