Filed under: Convertibles, Etc., Misc. Auto Shows
Chery may bring M14 convertible to U.S. next year
Chery is looking at dropping its Pininfarina-styled M14 on the US market soon. Chinese news agency Xinhua is all like "later this year," but this year is like "see ya," so maybe by "this year" they really mean "next year." Either way, we'll be happy to take one for a spin while bearing in mind the convenient fold-up design we've seen from Chinese cars being crash tested recently. They've made some improvements, and they'll continue to get better on the safety front. With the M14, Chery actually has an attractive car on its hands, even if the lines are derivative of other vehicles. Powertrains are either a 1.6L or 2.0L engine with the choice of manual or CVT transmission. While we're not holding our breath for this car under the Christmas tree, it'll stir some interest whenever it does arrive in the U.S.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2jmotorsports 7:25PM (10/10/2007)
Oh man, looks like the latest generation Mercury Cougar.
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Ben 7:36PM (10/10/2007)
I think it looks nice. If priced correctly it could make an impact in the low cost coupe segment.
Kyle 7:31PM (10/10/2007)
I agree does look like the last generation Mercury Cougar.
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Matt 8:05PM (10/10/2007)
A third world country-based automaker copying another manufacturer's designs? No way, Hyundai has NOT been doing this for years or anything! The Sonata didn't used to be a Jag rip-off and is totally NOT a Camry knock-off now!
/end sarcasm
JNostalgics 10:30PM (10/10/2007)
uh...china and south korea are not third world countries
Jae 2:50AM (10/11/2007)
Your an idiot, the NF sonata was released before the camry.. so if you think they look alike, toyota copied hyundai....
Btw... South Korea is like... the 12th largest economy in the world, so shows how ignorant you must be
jjpg2000 7:38PM (10/10/2007)
It doesn't look like a Cougar at all. It looks like a 06+ Mitsubishi Eclipse.
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long 7:44PM (10/10/2007)
Looks o.k but what about the engineering aspect....i dont trust anything made in china and im part chinesse. i'll stike to honda and GM.
Jorge 7:40PM (10/10/2007)
I wonder how many crash test dummies will buy this thing... ha!
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shadowdale 7:45PM (10/10/2007)
Mitsubishi Eclipse. This is some kinda joke right? Chery is like "punking" the automotive industry, right? If I was one of the Mitsubishi Eclipse car design crew I would be so pissed at seeing this.
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mike 8:03PM (10/10/2007)
Yes, is that ZERO Stars?
Ben 7:45PM (10/10/2007)
Well you might as well say that it looks like a peugeot 207 CC as well. lol
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Takezo Kensei 7:52PM (10/10/2007)
Snap. Either way it does not look very original.
Chris 7:49PM (10/10/2007)
I'm wondering what kind of buyer (gullible, unknowledgable, stupid?) would buy this over a slightly used Hyundai Tiburon, Acura RSX or Mitsu Eclipse that is much more reliable and much safer.
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Phil 8:41PM (10/10/2007)
"would buy this over a slightly used Hyundai Tiburon, Acura RSX or Mitsu Eclipse that is much more reliable and much safer." You left out and built by someone over 10 years old.
Farris 8:20PM (10/10/2007)
Oh no! It has four wheels and two headlight! Totally unoriginal! Seriously, people. The cost to build/buy a car can only go SO far... and swiping design cues from other cars is a very cost effective way to lower those prices. (Whether or not that's right... well... :P)
Maybe it's good that the Chinese are trying to bring cars to the US. If they are determined to bring cars to the US, they will have to meet crash standards, so they will have to make the cars safer.
Besides, I'm sure this can't be as dangerous to drive as my 1968 Beetle...
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Big Rocket 8:52PM (10/10/2007)
Matt @ Oct 10th 2007 8:05PM wrote:
"A third world country-based automaker copying another manufacturer's designs?"
shadowdale @ Oct 10th 2007 7:45PM wrote:
"Chery is like 'punking' the automotive industry, right?"
Did you guys even read the Autoblog post or the Motor Authority post? The design was styled by Pininfarina, not by some "third-world country" design house "punking the automotive industry".
Autoblog: "Chery is looking at dropping its Pininfarina-styled M14 on the US market..."
Motor Authority: "The M14, penned at famed Italian design house Pininfarina, was unveiled..."
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Level 9:11PM (10/10/2007)
I was just about to say that "Pininfarina-styled"
Personaly I'm glad they are coming to the US....it will stir things up a bit...specialy if they are wal-mart priced cars...
As far as safety lets face it they will have to pass all federal test to meet road regulations in the US so thats not even a big factor or a question of whether they will be safe cars.....sure not the safest but road worthy none the less....
geo.stewart 9:37PM (10/10/2007)
By "Pininfarina styling" , does that mean they had $2000 to spend on styling and Pininfarina gave them their intern for an afternoon?
its a 3/4 version of an Eclipse.
but hey, it looks better than the Focus.
if only I wouldnt die on impact or if I had an interest in supporting the chinese auto industry. yes, I know we support their economy in so many products but this size purchase shows prominently in the books.
Brian Dreggors 10:09PM (10/10/2007)
Pininfarina also design the Daewoo Leganza.
'Nuff said.