100-percent ready
The launch of CHAMCO products has been postponed from one semester to the next since the beginning of 2007. "We wanted to make sure that our vehicles were 100-percent ready, claims Mr. Telfer. Until they fully meet our expectations, we preferred to put off their market introduction. After all, what good is it to offer a product that consumers do not like?"
The move is all the more important since CHAMCO plans on marketing its products nationwide in every target country.
Product quality is crucial, as Mr. Pollack is quick to remind us. "We don't want to make the same mistake as Hyundai. Since we'll be the first to sell Chinese cars, it will be a make-or-break scenario for us. Therefore, we must offer a good product from the get-go. We certainly don't want to waste 6-7 years to try to restore the public's confidence," he added.
That's why, in June 2007, CHAMCO management hired Steve Saleen, founder of the company that bears his name. He will be in charge of vehicle certification for North America.
High hopes
Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, CHAMCO is a subsidiary of ZX Auto North America, a company that owns the exclusive rights to import and market Zhongxing (ZX Auto) products.
Established in 1999 in the province of Hebei (Northern China), Hebei Zhongxing only produced 31,939 vehicles in 2006 -- barely 6,000 more than in the previous year. Yet, the Zhongxing assembly plant has an annual production capacity of 100,000 units. The Chinese automaker is naturally banking on CHAMCO to increase its manufacturing operations.
In 2007, Zhongxing announced plans to build a new assembly plant with a capacity of 150,000 units in Tijuana, Mexico. Part of the production would make it to the United States -- custom-free thanks to free-trade accords. The start of construction work has yet to be announced, however.
Earlier this month, the Chinese automaker surprised a lot of people by talking about another plant (100,000 units a year) that will be built in Changchunm in the province of Jilin (Central China). The facility will produce a new, modern-looking SUV that could later be marketed by CHAMCO. In addition, production of the Landmark is expected to move over there.
photo:Sébastien D'Amour, Luc Gagné, CHAMCO
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| Zhongxing Grand Tiger |
The move is all the more important since CHAMCO plans on marketing its products nationwide in every target country.
Product quality is crucial, as Mr. Pollack is quick to remind us. "We don't want to make the same mistake as Hyundai. Since we'll be the first to sell Chinese cars, it will be a make-or-break scenario for us. Therefore, we must offer a good product from the get-go. We certainly don't want to waste 6-7 years to try to restore the public's confidence," he added.
That's why, in June 2007, CHAMCO management hired Steve Saleen, founder of the company that bears his name. He will be in charge of vehicle certification for North America.
High hopes
Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, CHAMCO is a subsidiary of ZX Auto North America, a company that owns the exclusive rights to import and market Zhongxing (ZX Auto) products.
Established in 1999 in the province of Hebei (Northern China), Hebei Zhongxing only produced 31,939 vehicles in 2006 -- barely 6,000 more than in the previous year. Yet, the Zhongxing assembly plant has an annual production capacity of 100,000 units. The Chinese automaker is naturally banking on CHAMCO to increase its manufacturing operations.
In 2007, Zhongxing announced plans to build a new assembly plant with a capacity of 150,000 units in Tijuana, Mexico. Part of the production would make it to the United States -- custom-free thanks to free-trade accords. The start of construction work has yet to be announced, however.
Earlier this month, the Chinese automaker surprised a lot of people by talking about another plant (100,000 units a year) that will be built in Changchunm in the province of Jilin (Central China). The facility will produce a new, modern-looking SUV that could later be marketed by CHAMCO. In addition, production of the Landmark is expected to move over there.
photo:Sébastien D'Amour, Luc Gagné, CHAMCO
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