REPORT: AutoShanghai show bucks trend to show record attendance figures
by Jonathon Ramsey on May 1st 2009 at 7:58AM 
In the introductory videos for the Bertone Mantide, designer Jason Castriota says "There's a reason we introduced the car here," in Shanghai -- and the performance of the Shanghai Motor Show appears to justify that kind of thinking for nearly every automaker there. The show was physically larger than the last one (two years ago), with 600,000 people arrived to view the gleaming wares of 918 cars (602 of them from China) and 582 component makers from all over the world.
Nor did the show skimp on the financial numbers as well: Lifan took $170 million in international orders for its MINI-derived Lifan 320 (pictured), Bentley 15 cars -- including all of its display vehicles -- and expected to close several more deals after the show closed its doors, and Rolls-Royce moved 18 models. China's economy may not be burn like a supernova anymore, but there is still plenty of heat left in it.
[Source: Gasgoo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve 8:02AM (5/01/2009)
You know, that could have alot to do with the fact that it's CHINA, one of the worlds most populated countries... and that China has has a better fiscal year financially then practically any other country in the world so far in 2009... That might be a good reason why.
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Aloysius Vampa 8:16AM (5/01/2009)
Like, no way.
asng15 2:17PM (5/01/2009)
i am sure u can find a better picture for it, why this?
Nude Love 8:07AM (5/01/2009)
Cool Mini, bro.
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AntBee 8:12AM (5/01/2009)
So, what you're saying is, that's a sanctioned MINI clone there?
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Elliot 9:25AM (5/01/2009)
China and their copies. Sigh. Another great car copied, again.
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Tagg 9:46AM (5/01/2009)
Shouldn't be a surprise since fewer than 10-12% of the 1.3 billion Chinese own a car. They're excited about cars because for the first time so many can buy one so there is a lot of interest in ANY car. In the US people only get excited about certain types anymore but in China they get excited by the same cars we do (Rolls Royce, Ferrari,etc.) but they even get excited over a Lifan 320!
It's the only auto market thats growing and will soon be the largest market in the world if it isn't already. I believe it already is through the 1st quarter of this year.
Yes the Lifan 320 is a Mini copy and yes that dead horse is beaten into glue. It doesn't make it right but it's been pointed out a million times.
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JZeke 9:38AM (5/01/2009)
I don't get who "buys" the copies.
I remember as a kid, going to Toronto and buying toy cars at stores all over town. In Kensington markets, you could get the cheap Chinese-made pull-back cars. They were pretty inaccurate, but cheap enough to make a collection. Cross town, in posh Yorkville was a store of only high-end model cars. I had to save to even get one of these, and it would always get cherished somewhere safe. The accuracy was amazing, even at 1/43 scale. The Chinese toys on the other hand were launched off my roof with model rocket engines strapped to the back, or blown up when we filmed our own action sequences in scale (ala James Bond)
My point is, if I - as a kid - could discern the difference and value of the upmarket model car, why can't most adults tell the difference between the real deal?
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letstakeawalk 12:39PM (5/01/2009)
Why do so many Americans buy poorly made, overweight Chinese manufactured bicycles from discount big box stores when they can buy a high quality lightweight American or European made bicycle from a professional bicycle dealer? Same for scooters and mopeds...
Many people look at cars as appliances. They might pay enough attention to what something looks like, but price is often the bottom line, and more important in determining a purchase than brand name.
JZeke 1:02PM (5/01/2009)
Good point, but look how well that worked for Detroit manufacturers.
I don't think it will cause brands lost buyers though. With cars, people want the quality to be there at the price point they are paying. If this hideous Mini knockoff is actually decently made - and even 7/10s the fun of a Mini, then theres a problem. Odds are though it won't even compare.
The buyers who would go for such a thing wouldn't be likely to afford the real deal anyway.
letstakeawalk 1:39PM (5/01/2009)
"The buyers who would go for such a thing wouldn't be likely to afford the real deal anyway."
Exactly. Just like those who buy a Geely GE aren't taking sales away from RR. There will always be a market for "designer knock-offs", even in the automotive industry.
Quality must be weighed with cost. At a certain level, it becomes cheaper to by a new car than to repair a busted one, hence my appliance comment. If Chinese cars are inexpensive enough to replace when they fail, then people will overlook quality for the short term.
joe23521 9:40AM (5/01/2009)
Surely you could have found a better car to represent AutoShanghai...sigh...
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Ted 12:34PM (5/01/2009)
Ha, those MINI Cooper jerks are going to go crazy and cry like bitc-hes when they see this!
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查 11:14AM (5/01/2009)
when they will ship that car to US? I want a Mini under $10k.
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thomas 11:46AM (5/01/2009)
now when you say mini derived......
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CarlosMC 1:29PM (5/01/2009)
Aren't you supposed to improve on things as you redo them? I'm confused...
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