Geely at Frankfurt
Geely's Frankfurt debut has not gotten nearly as much attention as the big boys, but that certainly has not stopped them from trying. Instead of the usual hot models leaning on show cars, Geely opted for Monkey King and Classic Beauties dressed as Beijing Opera characters. For most, this probably induced a double-take, followed by a "what the F…"; but for those familiar with Geely, you'll know that the CD is the 3rd generation "Leopard Beauty", China's first home-grown sports car, and its new front fascia drew inspiration from Beijing Opera's facial painting — see any resemblance between the nose of the CD and that of the Monkey King? It's no coincidence.
More pictures from Geely's Frankurt exhibit available at Autoblog Chinese.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
A little unusual, but at least they're not copying now..
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Hank 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
At least the front of their car was supposed to look like nostrils. . . others seem to do it by accident. I'm just not sure about the monkey nostrils on a car called Leopard Beauty. I'm curious, does the back look like a baboon butt?
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Joel A 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
Is Geely pronounced the same as Gigli?
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NSX 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
I would never take a second look on cars designed from China (I am a chinese myself)
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KT 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
NSX: If Japanese/Koreans hold your attitude towards their own cars when their automotive industries started a couple years back, I don't think they would be as successful as today, especially the Korean manufactures.
I admit cars designed in China kinda sucks now, but as a Chinese, at least you should support your own people and "take a second look". Who knows what Chinese can do in the next 10 years?
As a Chinese I'm ashamed of your attitude.
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ttta 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
Geely means lucky or fortunate in English, it's a momentous event for China Auto industry. The road for em is tough, but hopeful.
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I_hate_Chinese 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
KT :
An interesting comment from you.
But be reminded that the last time a new manufacturer successfully entered the US market was Hyundai's entry in 1985. Everybody else(Daihatsu, Kia(Before Hyundai takeover. Present Kias are rebadged Hyundais), Daewoo, and Yugo) failed to break into the US market, and Isuzu have withdrawn from the car market altogether. Second and third tier Japanese venders like Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki are also struggling in the US market as well. The US market is the most competitve auto market in the world and not even the likes of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Renault would dare try.
The barrier of entry has increased dramatically since then, in forms of increased crash and safety standard, emissions(especially California's ULEV II), and used cars that are far more reliable than they used to be. Given a choice between a new Chinese car and a 3-year old used Toyota, most will opt for a used Toyota instead.
And the fate of most Chinese manufacturers aren't too good looking either, especially when the foreign brands control 85% of Chinese car market. Chinese auto market was opened up to foreigners too early, and the Chinese auto companies weren't given the time to mature.
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KT 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
Good analysis, but why do you post under such name?
Anyway, I agree with what you said: I don't think Chinese manufacturers can break into US market in the near future. But at least I would like to see them thrive in the Chinese market ...
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cactusfan 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
Geely has never been synonomous with "beauty". If you think the leopard beauty you see in this picture is aesthetically challenged, I can tell you the ones for sale IN China are a lot worse!
And they are still copying. I can see hints of various other manufacturers cars on all of their models. I see the shape of the Daihatsu Charade, the headlights of the Toyota Crown...I could go on and on...
Fortunately for Geely, even in China people who buy Geelys don't buy them because they are good looking cars, they don't buy them because they are reliable, and they don't buy them because they love their country. They buy them because they are cheap, and I think (hope) that the reason that Geely is at Frankfurt now is not because they are trying to enter developed car markets like the EU and the US, but other markets which view value over other things.
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I_hate_Chinese 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
> I don't think Chinese manufacturers can break into US market in the near future.
This doesn't mean "Made in China" cars won't come to the US; existing major venders will source more of their vehicles from China to cut cost and this volume would be substential; like Honda Fit from China and the new entry-level hatchback that Chrysler is trying to build in China. It is just that they would not wear Chinese badges.
The second question is how much Chinese can maintain their cost advantage when they upgrade to US safety standard. Chinese cars cost little because they come with nothing; no airbags, no 5-mile bumper, no ABS, no galvanized high-tensile steel, no nothing. Throw in those and any kind of perceived price advantage dissapears quickly. This is why Chery's US models are expected to carry an MSRP of $20,000, same as GM, Ford, and Hyundais.
Entering the US market is an expensive proposition and only venders with a million units/year volume may have the resources to do so. I personally see only one Chinese maker that has such potential; SAIC. Others, like Geely and Chery, just don't have the money and engineering resources to "come to America"; they will have to crack SE Asian and South American markets first before attempting the US market.
> But at least I would like to see them thrive in the Chinese market
Well, it was Chinese government's mistake to open up Chinese market too early. You know Chinese venders are in worse position than GM in the US when foreigners control 85% of the market, the current-generation Accords and Fits sold alongside cardboard box quality Chinese models...
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F D Mind 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
I am a Chinese.
OK, I have always been driving Japanese cars (Camry, Altima, 626 ...) Well, they are sophisticated product of fine engineering and detailing. Japanese cars are not merely advanced technologies, but also sensible design and superb quality control. In this sense, it is very difficult, presently, for Geely to establish itself in North America, Western Europe, Japan, or simply the developed countries. However, in developing countries like Southeast Asia, Africa, etc., their low prices, cheap parts, and lower-end technologies (hence eaiser and cheaper maintenance) held advantages. Hopefully, Geely could keep evolving (as they always have been) and one day be among the sophisticated.
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ChinoPride 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
The main problem here is that the "Big Three" Chinese automakers; SAIC, FAW and some third party..... dominates the overall car market in China. Problem is, they build foreign cars with foreign brands. This is the main problem with China right now, is that the government controls these companies and are simply looking into the short term profit. These are the real problems for domestic and privatised Chinese car companies like Geely. Unlike Japan's Toyota/Honda and South Korea's Hyundai, is that Geely will get any support from the Chinese government. This is one of those things where I am very ashamed for those Chinese politicians who are just simply selfish and not analysing on the long run. If Geely sells car in the US, i will buy it no matter what. Geely, you are doing a great job!
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doktorno 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
Dear Sirs,
How can I contact you on e-mail. I tried to sent you one e-mail on 5-6 different mails: autoexp@geely.com, luck@geely.com, xug@geely.com, fengya@geely.com ... but everytime that mail is returned to me.
I get following message: It appears that the DNS operator for geely.com
has installed an invalid MX record with an IP address
instead of a domain name on the right hand side.
Can you help me?
Best Regards
doktorno
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Niels 11:17PM (12/18/2005)
As an American, I support American cars. If anything, Toyota and Honda are overrated. My Ford is 30 years old and never fails to start, and everything works. There's still something about the thought of Chinese cars that makes me cringe. Geely's models are not attractive, and I'm certain that Chinese cars will never catch on in the US. In a country where 1/8th of the population lives and where communism used to thrive, I'm sure many people wouldn't even think once, let alone twice, about buying a Chinese car.
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