Detroit 2008: CHAMCO will sell the first Chinese cars in Canada in 2009!

Bill Pollack, Chairman of CHAMCO Auto

China America Cooperative Automotive (CHAMCO) is an American distribution and engineering company which does not build automobiles. Its executives nevertheless plan to be the first to sell Chinese cars in North America.

At the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit, they introduced prototype versions of two 5-passenger compact trucks: the Landmark utility vehicle and the Grand Tiger pickup with four doors and short box. These models are manufactured by Hebei Zhongxing Auto (also called ZX Auto).

According to Bill Pollack, Chairman of CHAMCO Auto, the first deliveries are expected in Mexico (where they already meet local standards) as early as this summer. Americans will have to wait until the end of the year, followed by Canadians early in 2009.

Canadian dealer network
Up here, the wheels are already turning to establish a network of about 40 to 50 dealers. "I'm hoping to have 7-8 dealers in Quebec, 13 in Ontario and 2-3 in the Maritimes. The others will be located in the Prairies and British Columbia," said Tom Telfer, Sales Manager for Canada. This Ontario-native had been working as a retail specialist for Ford dealers over the past 20 years or so.

If all goes as planned, expect to see a CHAMCO stand at the 2009 edition of the Montreal and Toronto Auto Shows.

New specific names for the American and Canadian markets have yet to be determined. Right now, other North American companies own their rights. For example, Landmark is the name of a theater chain. However, in Mexico, they will be called Toreador and Matador.

Affordable compact vehicles

Zhongxing Landmark

The Landmark SUV is similar in size to the Ford Escape. It's 30-cm longer, 4.5-cm narrower and 6-cm higher, while the wheelbase is 23-cm longer. The Grand Tiger pickup, which looks like a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, features traditional frame rails. The wheelbase is slightly longer, as is the overall length (+33 cm).

Both will be motivated by a 2.7L, 4-cylinder engine produced by ZX Auto. Output is rated at 150 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.

Bill Pollack says that these two vehicles will be "well equipped and about 20-percent cheaper than most rivals." In the U.S., their base MSRP will be around $13,500, according to the chairman.

CHAMCO's portfolio will later expand to include new entry-level models from China and other Asian countries: minivans, compact sedans, sports cars and even hybrids. Some of these vehicles could be manufactured by another Chinese automaker, Changchun, which ZX Auto has developed a partnership with.