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Chinese gearing up for U.S. car market
The Washington Times ^ | 1-11-06 | Jeffrey Sparshott

Posted on 01/11/2006 11:43:22 AM PST by JZelle

Chinese companies are racing to enter the U.S. auto market. One manufacturer previewed this week at the North American International Auto Show, and another plans to hit dealerships by the end of next year. "For sure, nobody needs another manufacturer, if all we were going to do was manufacture another car. But we are going to make a dramatic change in the price [structure] of higher-priced cars," said Malcolm Bricklin, the 66-year-old chief executive of Visionary Vehicles, a New York City company that has long-term plans to sell 1 million cars a year built by China's Chery Automobile Co. in the U.S. Mr. Bricklin plans to introduce midlevel cars, competitive with Japanese and Korean sedans and crossovers, to the U.S. by the end of 2007, he said yesterday from his New York office. Cherys, which will be sold under a yet-to-be-determined name, will be priced about 30 percent less than competitors.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: chery; chevy; chicoms; china; freetraitors; gm
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To: FroedrickVonFreepenstein

The workers make $3.50 an hour, or so I heard on TV last night.

No wonder they can afford to sell them for 8 grand. Especially since a party boss is standing beside the assembly line, armed with a Makarov, in case they slow down production.


21 posted on 01/11/2006 12:32:56 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Master of Sinanju (Emeritus))
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To: All

I'd sooner buy a French car than one of those..


22 posted on 01/11/2006 12:34:26 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Master of Sinanju (Emeritus))
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To: Pondman88

Everyone said the same thing about Korean cars when Hyundai first came out, and yes, for many years, they were horrible POS and a joke.

But look at where they are now.


23 posted on 01/11/2006 12:35:27 PM PST by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: Gator101

That was a Trabant! I saw some in the former E Germany after the wall came down. They could retail for about $200 and still make a profit!


24 posted on 01/11/2006 12:37:07 PM PST by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: CheyennePress
A new car under 8,000? Sounds like a deathtrap.

In an accident with a Chevy Suburban on the interstate, then you might have a point. But this kind of small, nimble Chinese car would be ideal in major cities such as New York City. It would probably be similiar to this Smart car commonly found throughout Europe.


25 posted on 01/11/2006 12:38:30 PM PST by MinorityRepublican (everyone that doesn't like what America and President Bush has done for Iraq can all go to HELL)
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To: Pondman88

I don't think they can get in the US without passing minimum smog & saftey tests.


26 posted on 01/11/2006 12:40:55 PM PST by stylin19a (you can leed Freepers to spelchek, but you can't make 'em use it.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

That thing wouldn't survive a half-charged golf cart.

Can you imagine getting T-boned in that thing by a Civic?


27 posted on 01/11/2006 12:49:31 PM PST by CheyennePress
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To: gridlock
Has Briklin ever been involved in any venture that actually, you know, made money?

Sure. Visicalc. Oh wait a minute you mean Malcolm not Dan.

28 posted on 01/11/2006 12:55:48 PM PST by atomic_dog
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To: The South Texan

No joke -- I've been wondering when Wal-Mart is going to get into selling cars. If GM were smart, they'd check into making an exclusive deal with the folks from Bentonville (a very big "if," I realize).


29 posted on 01/11/2006 12:57:49 PM PST by MajorityOfOne
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To: JZelle

If China makes a good car that meets all requirements: buy it! The Japanese and Koreans won't roll over and die: they'll roll up their sleeves and compete. There won't be a monopoly, and our cars will get cheaper and better. And China will shuck off its totalitarian government the moment it stops them from competing.


30 posted on 01/11/2006 1:13:14 PM PST by agere_contra
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To: JZelle
I guess this is the next logical step for them, now that they are well-established in the parts-supply business.

Some Indian automobile companies, such as TATA, are starting to enter the international market, if not the US market.

31 posted on 01/11/2006 1:13:36 PM PST by jennyp (PILTDOWN MAN IS REAL! Don't buy the evolutionist's Big Lie that Piltdown was a hoax!)
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To: Pondman88

I bet these things would sell well in the middle east or anywhere that car bombs are popular. they are probably held together with duct tape and super glue and so should turn into marvelous shrapnel. Plus they are cheap and the chicoms would probably give a good discount for bulk buying.


32 posted on 01/11/2006 1:19:10 PM PST by scory
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To: Moleman

We talk quite a bit around here about patriotism. Time for some economic patriotism, DO NOT BUY communist cars!



Nice thought, but it'll never happen. People shop price and not politics. That's why China is now our second largest creditor (right behind Japan). All those dollars we send over there? What they don't invest in inafrastructure and education, they send right back and buy our debt.


33 posted on 01/11/2006 1:21:10 PM PST by durasell (!)
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To: in hoc signo vinces
Chinese food is one thing, Chinese girls is one thing too, but Chinese cars...now...that's where you got to draw the line.

Good one, thanks for adding some levity to the thread!

34 posted on 01/11/2006 2:17:10 PM PST by Moleman
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To: Mikey_1962
Yeah, come on in! The waters fine! Good F'ing Luck!

They'll do exactly what the Japanese did in the 1960s and 70s. Throw money at every politician in creation to ensure a nice smooth ride...
35 posted on 01/11/2006 2:18:40 PM PST by Antoninus (Jesus Christ is Lord. Alleluia!)
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To: JZelle

For the most part, American car companies have put very little into the small car market. Two reasons--lack of expertice and low profits.

So we stand in 2006 where GM and Ford have perhaps too many apples in the truck/SUV basket.

Toyota, Honda, Lexus have hybrids. GM has none, and Ford has one.*

GM is showing a Camaro that they may introduce in 2009. Sloooooooooooow, tooooooooo cautious GM.

* GM puts an electric motor on some trucks and calls it hybrid power, but it is NOT involved when the vehicle is moving.

So more power to Koreans and Chinese, if they want to exploit market segments which were abandoned and poorly served by American companies.


36 posted on 01/11/2006 2:31:09 PM PST by truth_seeker
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To: Moleman

If decent quality (likely) and priced a chunk cheaper, the Chinese cars will kick GM/Ford butt.

Just as people buy massive amounts of Chinese products (try buying a USA-made PC that is all made in the USA), so too the cars.

Considering the high USA tax rates, stagnant wages for many working class folks, there is a ready market in budget autos.

In 1976, I bought a Honda Civic (luxury model) for $3,500. Now, basic model cars are SO less affordable.

A, say $5k, decent quality, budget car from China would sell like hotcakes.

I'd buy one....as (a) I look at my Calif & Fed govt leaders and can't find enough about them to inspire patriotism; (b) I get my VCR, radios, clothes, wife, etc from China.


37 posted on 01/11/2006 3:42:12 PM PST by OldArmy52
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To: Armedanddangerous

$3.50US/hr? Man! That is SUPER pay in China!!!
Was in south China (wife's got rel's there & Hong Kong) and hrly av. pay more like 45 cents.


38 posted on 01/11/2006 3:45:15 PM PST by OldArmy52
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To: JZelle
Cherys, which will be sold under a yet-to-be-determined name...

Might I suggest "the Chery Corrette?"

39 posted on 01/11/2006 4:51:43 PM PST by NonValueAdded (What ever happened to "Politics stops at the water's edge?")
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To: Moleman

Wait until Russia unveails it's car here.


40 posted on 01/12/2006 5:15:38 PM PST by Thunder90
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