Detroit - For a fourth consecutive year, Chinese cars were on exhibit at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). BYD and Brilliance showed ten vehicles or so, including a prototype. And this year again, the message was the same: We are coming! Only, we don't when yet.
This year, those two manufacturers were pretty lucky, their exhibits being allowed inside Cobo Center's main exhibtion area, next to Mazda, Ford and GM. Since 2006, all Chinese manufacturers attending the Detroit show were kind of set aside and had to use secondary exhibition space, like hallways and Michigan Hall, Cobo Center's lower level.
However, the absence of several major brands left large chunks of exhibition space available in the main hall. This is how BYD and Brilliance found themselves among the "majors". A favorable position, which surely could influence the generally negative perception, Americans have towards Chinese cars.
A new Eldorado
The two Chinese makers had nothing to sell in Detroit. Those who think this was only a goodwill visit however miss their true intensions.
With over 19 million vehicles sold in the United-States, in 2007, the American market shines like gold of a new Eldorado in the eyes of the Chinese manufacturers. Selling cars here would also heighten their status and improve the credibility of their rather young automotive industry.
Moreover, back in China, local manufacturers live a strange paradox. Even though sales of light vehicles there have surpassed 8 million units in 2007, the indigenous manufacturers plants are not working at full capacity. They produce about a quarter of all vehicles sold in China, leaving the other three quarters to foreign brands -- American, Asian and European -- that have set up their own plants on the mainland. One more reason to seek new market opportunities on Uncle Sam's soil!
A young industry
At BYD, executives think big! In his speech at NAIAS, Chairman Wang Chaufu said to the crowd of journalists that a US launch was being prepared. "Our goal is to introduce BYD electric vehicles in the US in 2011, and set up our manufacturing facilities in the US when it is appropriate."
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| BYD F3DM |
This year, those two manufacturers were pretty lucky, their exhibits being allowed inside Cobo Center's main exhibtion area, next to Mazda, Ford and GM. Since 2006, all Chinese manufacturers attending the Detroit show were kind of set aside and had to use secondary exhibition space, like hallways and Michigan Hall, Cobo Center's lower level.
However, the absence of several major brands left large chunks of exhibition space available in the main hall. This is how BYD and Brilliance found themselves among the "majors". A favorable position, which surely could influence the generally negative perception, Americans have towards Chinese cars.
A new Eldorado
The two Chinese makers had nothing to sell in Detroit. Those who think this was only a goodwill visit however miss their true intensions.
With over 19 million vehicles sold in the United-States, in 2007, the American market shines like gold of a new Eldorado in the eyes of the Chinese manufacturers. Selling cars here would also heighten their status and improve the credibility of their rather young automotive industry.
Moreover, back in China, local manufacturers live a strange paradox. Even though sales of light vehicles there have surpassed 8 million units in 2007, the indigenous manufacturers plants are not working at full capacity. They produce about a quarter of all vehicles sold in China, leaving the other three quarters to foreign brands -- American, Asian and European -- that have set up their own plants on the mainland. One more reason to seek new market opportunities on Uncle Sam's soil!
A young industry
At BYD, executives think big! In his speech at NAIAS, Chairman Wang Chaufu said to the crowd of journalists that a US launch was being prepared. "Our goal is to introduce BYD electric vehicles in the US in 2011, and set up our manufacturing facilities in the US when it is appropriate."
 |
| BYD F3DM |