Chinese Show New SUV and Odd-Looking Concept (NAIAS 2007)

MSN ^ | 1/8/2007 | Alexander Popple

[kevin_in_so_cal]

Changfeng Motor Company, China’s largest maker of SUVs, in 2007 becomes the country's first automaker to exhibit throughout the entire auto show. (Compatriot firm Geely showed its car only on press days last year.)

To mark this milestone, journalists were invited to what turned out to the auto show’s most unusual press event.

Auto show Joint Chairman Robert Thibodeau and local dignitaries exchanged gifts with Changfeng Chairman Li Jianxin in the type ceremony more usually seen at diplomatic events. Chairman Li then made a speech explaining Changfeng’s 5-year plan: Expand production to 300,000 units, seek out foreign partners whose “advanced technology we can absorb” and, thanks to China’s admission to the WTO, “face up to global competition."

That last point is code for raising standards to become competitive with the world’s leading automakers, and prepare to start exporting to western markets such as North America.

The event turned a bit bizarre as journalists were shown, to use Changfeng's own description, a “propaganda film." For a few minutes, stirring images of uniformed workers assembling cars, comically speeded-up vignettes of Changfeng products in action, and even a photo of Mao Tse-Tung filled giant video screens; and as the rousing strains of “Jerusalem” reached a crescendo, the voiceover romped through a blizzard of statistics and split infinitives, only to finally inform us that “the dragons are taking off and the cheetahs are leaping”...

[kevin_in_so_cal]

"Seek out foreign partners whose advanced technology we can absorb?"
Propaganda film?
Photo of Mao Tse-Tung?
China isn't changing as much as they want everyone to believe. And let's not forget this, and this.

[Holicheese]

I wonder if all teh owners manuals are red?

[Stonewall Jackson]

Is it just me, or do those things look really short? The proportions seem to be off somehow.

[chartnah]

The Nash makes a comeback.

[sittnick]

And they are still hung up on those "Five Year Plans."

[finnman69]

Changfeng Liebao CS6

Changfeng Feibo CT5

Changfeng Hunan Rhombe Concept

[Ladysmith]

Yick.

I saw a '65 Mustang (notch-back) yesterday and have a wave of nostalgia go through me. What I wouldn't give to have one of those again.

[Nathan Zachary]

Those things are butt ugly. I bet half the screws that hold it together are missing as well.

[ASOC]

Holy smokes - everthing old is new again

Where have I seen these before?

[ikka]

seek out foreign partners whose “advanced technology we can absorb”

They mean STEAL.

[D-Chivas]

Changfeng Motors spokeslesbeing for the US market:

You Tube of Rosie talking Chinese

[prairie dog]

Yow! The Changfeng Liebao CS6 almost looks like one of those old kiddie toy pedal cars.

[goldstategop]

The Chinese are just starting out. The Koreans arrived in America in the late 80s with Hyundai and Kia. They were badly built and no one wanted a Korean made car. Both carmakers learned from their mistakes and put quality first. Hyundai today is well regarded and even has some of its cars built right here in America. So give the Chinese time.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Every now and then, someone revives the rhomboid concept (single front and rear wheels, two wheels in the middle).

It gets touted as a way to make parking easier.

What they don't mention is that the thing wants to tip over in turns, and no one's devised a satisfactory solution to that problem.

[freekitty]

I remember the first Toyotas mass produced here and they were put together with spit and/or bubblegum.

[kevin_in_so_cal]

Have you heard of COSTIND? The "Commission Of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense" acquires dual-use technology for PRC institutes and manufacturers by assuring foreign suppliers that the technology will be used for civil production. COSTIND uses overseas companies to target U.S. firms for acquisition of dual-use technology for the military.

Were you talking about giving the Chinese time so that they can create a company for making cars in the U.S. that will "Seek out foreign partners whose advanced technology we can absorb?" With COSTIND in mind? I hope not.