Chinese automakers vying for coveted NAIAS space
For those in the industry, it's common knowledge that Detroit's Cobo Hall isn't exactly the sprawling chunk of real estate that automakers want and need from the venue for the most important auto show in North America. Regardless, North American International Auto Show executives are pushing for U.S. market hopefuls Hunan Changfeng Motor Co. Ltd., Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. and Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Co. Ltd. to display at NAIAS after Geely's premiere in Cobo's concourse last year.
The companies, which could sell cars in the U.S. as early as 2008, were offered a pavilion to share amongst the three of them, but they rejected the plan. Instead, they will likely take up residence downstairs in Michigan Hall, where aftermarket parts and other specialty companies such as American Specialty Cars exhibit. One day soon, however, Chinese automakers likey hope they'll be able to sit at the big kids table in Cobo Hall itself. NAIAS executives will have some pretty creative floorplan problems when that day comes.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 4:19PM (7/05/2006)
The lower level is where Kia and Hyundai started out at the autoshow. Now look at them.
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Will Wheeler 4:46PM (7/05/2006)
I hope GM, and Ford are happy. They partnered with companies like this in China to sell cars in China, now the companies they helped educate and train will be competing for their business in the US.
Idiots.
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New Yorker 5:35PM (7/05/2006)
"For those in the industry, it's common knowledge that Detroit's Cobo Hall isn't exactly the sprawling chunk of real estate that automakers want and need from the venue for the most important auto show in North America" What kind of lede sentence is that?
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Mike from Scarborough 8:11PM (7/05/2006)
I'll say it again,,this car is a piece of Junk.Anyone who buys products from a Communist Government should,realy consider spending it elsewere.You can buy a good second hand " North American" built car for the same price.It would outlast this POS anyway...
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Greg 10:14PM (7/05/2006)
Read my words: China is going to take over the world.
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joe 1:38AM (7/06/2006)
"4. I'll say it again,,this car is a piece of Junk.Anyone who buys products from a Communist Government should,realy consider spending it elsewere.You can buy a good second hand " North American" built car for the same price.It would outlast this POS anyway..."
Since when can 2nd graders stay up so late? Learn how to space out your sentences before you post. Geely is a PRIVATE company, NOT owned by the Chinese government! If you know anything about China nowadays, you should be aware that China isn't really a communist country like North Korea or Cuba. Anyone who buys products from a communist government should spend their money elsewhere? Like where exactly? I'm afraid you would have to dig a hole and live there forever. Go to any electronic store, super market, try finding something that's not made in China or produced by an Asian company. American built vehicles are fine and may be better quality than Chinese cars. But Chinese car companies have their ways of comepeting and could very well be tomorrow's Hyundai or even Toyota. We live in a global economy. If American car companies aren't capable of competing, they deserve to lose.
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Derek 1:59AM (7/06/2006)
Response to No. 4. Perhaps you should consider getting out of the trailer park once in a while.... Firstly, Geely is not a car by a COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT, it is a privately owned company started by an enterprising enterpreneur in the 1980s, who started with refrigerators, then scooters, and now cars. Secondly, it is a bit presumptious to state that a "North American car" will beat this POS, when clearly you have no first hand experience with this vehicle? Put some sunscreen on that red neck of your's, and learn a bit about globalization. Incidently, I am glad that the Chinese are not as closed-minded as you, because if they were, GM would certainly not be netting the sales success in that country as it is today. Maybe you should think about that with the rest of yoru beer-chugging import-bashers hicks.
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Mike from Scarborough 2:21PM (7/06/2006)
To #6.I appologise for my spelling,but not for the intent of my comments.It's my oppinion and it's shared my millions of others all over the world,that China's groth is economicly dangerous.They rape our technology all the time,and no they want to be the world's cheap industrial shoping center for consumer products.I agree that a tonne of electronic goods are manufactured there,and yes it seems imposible to buy NA goods in some areas.But when it comes down to fundamental larger purchases such as a car.Why in the F%#k would you buy from a Chinnese Company when You have at least 5 major manufacturers nearly 100% built in NA right here????The Jobs that the Auto Industry continues to give us still drive a huge part of our economy.So spend it here..I didn't say American I said North American Car companies,wich include devisions of Honda,Toyota,VW and so on.So Obviously you can't read..
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Mike from Scarborough 2:33PM (7/06/2006)
To #7 Your a clown,obviously..Again I said North American wich include devisions of the Imports Built with nearly 100% NA content.I don't give a Flying F$#K how good or bad the Geely is when it comes to suporting Jobs on this Continent I will do it By purchasing product accordingly.That includes the Gross materials and products that I install for my Customers.My Company buys over $500,000 dollars of " North American Made Goods " a year.And Will grosse over a Million this Year.Not bad for a redneck Hick.I like Import cars as well,I just won't support a country's economy due to their brutal labour laws and poor human rights.Maybe you would like to work for 2 bucks an hour?The rest of us Don't......Retard
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Mopar Bob 2:56PM (7/06/2006)
Note to readers. Competition is the only whip we have left to force GM to return to US dominance(If that's even possible)At least until they share ownership with the Japanese or some other corporate re-structure like Daimler-Chrysler. BTW Mike from Scarborough drives a Toyota and a Porsche. He just likes to rant.
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Derek 2:19PM (7/07/2006)
@Mike from Scarborough... listen up buddy, every time you put gas in your car, you are supporting foreign workers, in this case oil-industry workers in the middle east and elsewhere... so much for the buy "north american" idea. Look at the keyboard you are typing on, most likely made in Asia, along with the monitor that you are staring at.
THe fact of the matter is that the world is a much smaller place, and traditional nationalistic feelings about trade are somewhat ignorant. Has it ever occurred to you that Geely selling here will mean a whole load of new dealerships and parts manufacturers in North America, which traslates to more jobs here?
As for your other comments, you started your rant by stating Geely is a "POS", but then contradict yourself in a subsequent post by saying "...I don't give a Flying F$#K how good or bad the Geely is ...", great back peddling.
As I noted earlier, I am glad that most people are not like you, given that even those who live in a "Communist" country, like China, can appreciate that being nationalistic when it comes to commerce, makes little sense. Did I mention that GM is the top selling marque in China this year? This certainly wouldn't have happened if the Chinese were as narrow-minded as you about buying international products.
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Mike from Scarborough 7:10PM (7/12/2006)
Derek,,I know most of the products we buy are from the far east,and this is why we could still buy a pair of Jeans for $80 Bucks today when they were say $80 bucks 10 years ago when they were made here.Like I said in my comments,wich you still didn't understand because you may be on crack.We should make all our major purchases with companies that support stong labour here.It is as simple as that.Toyota,Nissan,Gm,Ford,DCX,and whomever else manufactures mostly in NA.I'm not closed minded,just oppinionated such as your self.This is a blogg after all;And enjoy reading other people's views ,and rants.So your in love with Chinese cars and products,that's your opinion.Mine is I will support NA Basesd Industries ,most of my Capital is here.Is that more clear for ya?By the way we have more oil,metals,coal,uranium,gold and now diamonds than the US.We could be self suficient as a nation.China cannot be,they don't have the geological wealth to support their groth ,let alone their population.
Keep trying....MFS.
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Mike from Scarborough 7:12PM (7/12/2006)
PS. It is true I drive a Tundra,,Great truck,never breaks down.I'd love a ram Diesel if they ever put a small diesel in it.The Boxter is just a silly rumor.
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