Detroit 2008: Geely FC makes an argument for Chinese cars
click above to view more images of the Geely FC
Of all the Chinese automakers in attendance this year at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Geely is the only one with cars we believe could actually be sold in the U.S. We have no idea if its new FC sedan, which debuted in China just five months ago, would pass strict U.S. safety and emissions standards, but its design, features and build quality seemed just up to snuff for an American consumer shopping for an inexpensive four-door sedan.
The FC was developed in-house by Geely and features a 1.8L four-cylinder with variable valve timing producing 137 horsepower and mated to a five-speed manual. A 13-second trip to 62 mph isn't a world record, but it's just enough to keep up with traffic and return good fuel economy at the same time. There's also an available in-dash navigation system, dual airbags, and ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution. The interior, as well, didn't look or feel like it was made from recycled Tonka toys.
Mind you, we're not saying the FC would set the sales charts on fire in the U.S., but it could be competitive with the bottom dwellers in its class. For a Chinese automaker hoping to sell cars in the world's largest market, that's progress.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David 11:01PM (2/17/2008)
Actually this is not a licensed Daewoo, but a 2003-2007 Toyota Corolla, with a new nose and tail treatment and identical interior. Now Toyota have released a 2009 Corolla, redesigned and refined so the Chinese got the old stamping rights, to sell as a "new" model. Even has the same 1.8 vvti motor up front. Cheers
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Mohammed 7:49PM (10/05/2008)
Does anyone know about the engine on the FC cvvt 1.8? Some say it's from Toyota others say it's from Honda. I couldn't find the specs, especially the HP figures and gas consumption.
The car looks great, and it has plenty of features (cruise control, sunroof, parking detectors, alloy rims, disk brakes front and rear, ABS, airbag for driver and passenger, etc). But, I was looking at the craftmanship and it doesn't look so great: gap misalignement between doors and between door and wing.
I really wanna give it a try, but I'm afraid it's just another chinese car and I'm gonna have to get rid of it after a year or so (if anything is left).
Cheers!
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Gardiner Westbound 12:58PM (1/15/2008)
The first Japanese cars to reach our shores back in the 60s were laughable, but look at them now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_N360
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Godzilla 4:42PM (1/15/2008)
I would buy it. Bring it over.
Gardiner Westbound 12:59PM (1/15/2008)
The first Japanese cars to reach our shores back in the 60s were laughable, but look at them now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_N360
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Aki 2:12PM (1/15/2008)
how could it have 137 hp, yet do 0-60 in 13 secs?
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That One Person 4:07PM (1/15/2008)
It looks fairly large...not like Taurus large but pretty large. But I guess that's just how it looks to me...
Reader 5:47PM (1/15/2008)
It would have to be pretty damn large. I had the same thoughts, the 0-60 and hp figures don't really match up.
Aki 5:51PM (1/15/2008)
Judging by the relatively small legroom in the rear, it can't be more than a Civic-sized sedan. Which makes the 0-60 figure especially strange considering the decent HP output. I mean there'd have to be a lot of parasitic drag from the crank to the wheels.
James 2:16PM (1/15/2008)
At least this car doesn't look like a COMPLETE rip off of another automaker's vehicle, so that's at least a step in the right direction. But when I see this car and its interior, I can't help thinking of Daewoo... and that's never good.
I'm skeptical of the constant comparisons to Korean and Japanese manufacturers because I think Chinese automakers have many more hurdles to overcome than the former two, but they're getting there... just don't expect me to be first in line to trade in my Toyota.
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I_Hate_China 3:52PM (1/15/2008)
> But when I see this car and its interior, I can't help thinking of Daewoo... and that's never good.
Your suspicion is correct as FC is indeed a license-built Daewoo Lanos. Unlike Chery that builds cloned Daewoos without payment, Geely does pay for its chassis licenses.
Menice 2:16PM (1/15/2008)
that story is great
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Joshua 2:20PM (1/15/2008)
looking forward to seeing more asian brands hitting NA. hopefully they make it... although if i were them i would consider making a NA targetting brand/logo. geely just sounds like a name created to mock.
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Xcountryflyer 3:37PM (1/15/2008)
Agreed--at least it doesn't look like a complete copy except for the badging of some other car. Looks better made than the ChengFengs. It better be dirt cheap, decent in crash tests and can't fall totally apart in the first year--then it'll do okay. Chevy sells the Aveo--so there is a market for people in cheap horrid little cars.
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I_Hate_China 4:01PM (1/15/2008)
> Chevy sells the Aveo--so there is a market for people in cheap horrid little cars.
Geelys are license-built Daewoos, obsolete models that GM Daewoo no longer produces themselves. Geely FC is the previous generation Suzuki Forenza.
tanooki2003 4:11PM (1/15/2008)
I couldn't agree more Joshua,
I also would definitely like to see more Asian automotive brands. I think the next entry will be Malaysian (Proton), that's if they do play their cards right.
As for the Chinese automotive company I am definitely willing to welcome them and give them a chance. I do admire their tenacity in trying to become a part of the NA market. I do have a tiny bit of skepticism, as most do thanks to the BS6 crash test video, but at the same time I am not going to hold that against them either. I do have faith that the Chinese automotive industry will quickly become a much higher end player, seeing as how quickly they learn from their past mistakes and improve upon them, unlike what I can say for all American automotive companies which are wrapped in playing politics vs putting out cars that people actually want to buy and be proud of.
While the Japanese automotive companies have all grown up to be big players, the Korean automotive companies are in the adolescent stage, the Chinese automotive companies will be newborns.
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mr.ed 10:56PM (1/15/2008)
If you'd like to have a peek at future ownership delights, try finding an oil filter for your new ride. The poor bastards who bought those odd British and French imports in the fifties found out the hard way. Worse? Czech, Italian and others.
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Randy S 4:27PM (1/15/2008)
I guess I am skeptical about the Chinese entering the market. The experience of Brilliance's failed crash test withe the ADAC certainly sullied the prospect of an entry to satisfy the needs and the regulations of this market.
Again, we point to the success of both the Japanese and Korean automakers in meeting the challenges of a global market, especially in the primary automotive arenas. The bar was raised by Hyundai (followed by Kia), therefore Geely, ChengFeng, Chery and all comers from China needs to step up their game for (a) attractive products, (b) built-in reliability, (c) initial quality above acceptable to the average consumer and (d) proven safety. This is not hard, but they need to lock this down before shipping their first unit over here.
Then again, we're wondering who will follow smart and Alfa Romeo back this way (hint to Carlos Ghosn...make your Renaults in Mexico, meet our standards, you'll be welcomed back with plenty of open arms!).
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Loner 5:40PM (1/15/2008)
Without the BS6, the Chinese would not even realise how crappy their cars were and go and do improvements on it.
SNIFFDAR 5:15PM (1/15/2008)
Sadly, that interior looks better than 85% of what Chrysler turns out these days. And I'm not saying the Geely looks special...
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