REPORT: Chinese expect to build cars in Mexico in 2010, may sell cars at big-box retailers
There seems to be little doubt that Chinese cars will hit the U.S. market some soon – the big question is when. At least one automaker is suggesting that Chinese cars will enter America by way of Mexico, with production starting in 2010 and sales in the United States by 2015 after first making the rounds in Latin America and Canada. That date may have been sooner had we not hit such a nasty global economic crisis.
Perhaps the most interesting part of this scenario would be the distribution chain. Instead of using franchised dealerships, Mexican-built Chinese cars could be sold at large retail chains like CostCo and Walmart. GS Motors, the Mexican distributor for China's FAW brand, is already trialing this strategy in Mexico and would likely do the same in the States, assuming the program proves successful in smaller markets.
[Source: Gasgoo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
ichime 6:01PM (2/09/2009)
Nissan called...
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MJL 6:16PM (2/09/2009)
SO TRUE
jonjwlee 6:30PM (2/09/2009)
Read before you make some smart-ass comment.
This Brilliance BC3 came out WAY before the Maxima or the 370Z.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/brilliance-releases-15k-bc3-turbo-coupe/
Tango 6:30PM (2/09/2009)
One way or another...
Dazza 7:07PM (2/09/2009)
Indeed ... Nissan called to say they copied styling cues from the BC3, which has now been on sale for several years.
Such a pity you have little automotive knowledge.
Bryant 7:10PM (2/09/2009)
"Such a pity you have little automotive knowledge."
Dazza, I feel as if reminding you of the Infiniti G35/Nissan Skyline is too smart a comeback for me to make in response to you.
I mean, we could ignore the lines which Brilliance borrowed from the G35 if you'd like...
(protip: keep the condescending language in your closet if you don't want it flipped on your head by someone down the road)
big J 11:15PM (2/09/2009)
jon,
you're asking too much from these ignorant jackas$es
jack 6:07PM (2/09/2009)
No BMW called too no way may be it is Audi that should call because of the name of that thing........
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Goat Law 6:06PM (2/09/2009)
Wow. That thing actually looks pretty good. It will likely be 20 years before I ever consider buying a Chinese made car, but that is the first I've seen that actually looked worth buying to me.
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rainless 6:11PM (2/09/2009)
What is up with these "extensions" on all sorts of lights? Nissan has them adopted into their design language (350z, Maxima). The upcoming Toyot Prius also has "fins" on its headlights, albeit not as prominent. Here we have it again. Aesthetic taste varies greatly, but personally, I can't get myself to find this new trend appealing at all.
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Dazza 7:11PM (2/09/2009)
Brilliance adopted it several years ago with this particular model.
Sea Urchin 6:11PM (2/09/2009)
We need to make sure that Chinese companies are not to penetrate US market, because that will kill our auto industry. I think the best way is, (underhanded) regulation. As longs as China refuses to recognize the concept of "intellectual property" we should do everything we can to stop them. I think we need more safety standards, better emissions laws, that will prevent Chinese companies from entering USA.
Also, all the free marketeers out there must recognize that the weakest die, sadly the weakest car makers are American ones.
Think about it this way, a car that is boring and ugly, and underpowered but is LOADED with Sony branded NAV, great MP3 system, wireless Ipod connection, all that and more, basically the latest tech and the whole thing is priced at 14-15K, that is what Chinese will bring to USA and frankly many will chose to buy it.
Chinese car companies are located right next to all major electronic manufacturers so they will be able to bring to Mexico or wherever they build cars those "after market" tech toys that i can assure you people will buy.
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Dazza 7:09PM (2/09/2009)
Ironic isn't it that if the Chinese boot American car companies out of China, the American car industry would likely die anyway given its current state.
P.V. 7:11PM (2/09/2009)
It really doesn't make sense to limit people's choices based on origin, so long as those choices meet the necessary regulations on safety and other technology. As for the "intellectual property", I think that any instances of automobile plagiarism should be handled case by case, as many cars that were considered copycats a few years ago now have distinct, if somewhat derivative, sheetmetal (look at the evolution of the Chery QQ: before, it was a Chevrolet Spark clone; now, it is a distinct, if derivative, subcompact in its own right). In all, your xenophobia is showing.
Oh, and that coupe looks hot. That's a Chinese car I would consider buying today!
the vegas style guy 7:34PM (2/09/2009)
I think we should go at the Chinese on trade practices and flagrant human rights violations. I agree, they will come in with stolen tech and designs made at slave wages (by actual slaves) and totally decimate our market. I am not adverse to free trade if it's fair. Our corporations are so intent on getting into the Chinese market that they gladly sell our technology when they enter into the forced "joint" projects with Chinese communist Party which means the biggest corporation in China, the armed forces.
Which Commie said that Capitalism will kill itself? Let's make sure we don't go down without a fight. Look at Murdoch, Google, Boeing, etc.. If we could sell souls, these corporations would take their fiddles down to Georgia in a heartbeat.
Polly Prissy Pants 9:50PM (2/09/2009)
"It really doesn't make sense to limit people's choices based on origin, so long as those choices meet the necessary regulations on safety and other technology."
Sure it does, we do it all the time. There are plenty of countries we don't allow trade with based on their government's philosophy. On a personal level, if principle means more to you than a few dollars in your pocket you'll carefully consider country of origin and company business practices in all of your purchases.
Sea Urchin 11:04PM (2/09/2009)
Look i openly advocate people buy best cars available, that is why i like Hondas.
But we can not loose our car industry to a country that has not followed a single trade law, a country that is not familiar with designing something of their own and selling it.
big J 11:24PM (2/09/2009)
Sea Urchin,
You are IGNORANT. You're completely misguided, misunderstood self righteousness screams it in every post you make.
You are just talking out of your blindingly ignorant ass right now.
Cody Peterson 6:11PM (2/09/2009)
That BC3 looks nice... thing is, whats the reliability / performance of this thing?
Is it going to be a Yugo in that it falls apart after 4,000 miles, and gets 0-60 in five years?
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john 6:13PM (2/09/2009)
logo looks like toyota's
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