REPORT: China rolls out 89 new models in six months - that's one every two days
Geely GE – Click above for high-res image gallery
We've been hearing Chinese officials say for quite some time now that there are far too many automakers in the country for a healthy market in the long-term, but we didn't realize until today just how out-of-hand it may be. According to state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua, China has seen an unprecedented 89 new automobile launches so far this year.
That's surely a big number, but it doesn't really hit home until you consider that 89 vehicles in the first half of 2009 averages out to a new or heavily revised vehicle appearing in China once every two days. Of those new designs, 73 were cars, nine were SUVs, six were MPVs and – in contrast to typical American vehicle launches over the same period – only one was a crossover.
As you're surely aware, 2009 is only half over, and there are reportedly some 50 new vehicles still slated for introduction before the end of the year, equaling about 140 new models introduced in 2009. The good news, at least as far the bottom line goes, is that the new releases have translated into sales. The 4.96 million vehicles sold between January and May of this year represent a 14.29-percent increase over the same period in 2008. Still, considering the glut of new models hitting the market, one has to figure that a goodly number of those vehicles will go begging.
Gallery: Geely GE
[Source: Gasgoo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mason Hill 11:07PM (7/03/2009)
Fake Roller for the posers. Just gross.
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drcruelty 4:55PM (7/03/2009)
Well, I'd assume it's pretty easy to launch new models when you don't have to style them and they're not expected to protect occupants in a crash. And the cheap labor doesn't hurt either.
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airswingman 6:15PM (7/03/2009)
utterly discomfited isn;t just THE USA lol.
Quantumphysics 8:46PM (7/03/2009)
I've lived in China before.
So many people on bikes that you could be driving a PRIUS and be considered to be a luxury car.
the4thheat 10:28PM (7/03/2009)
If you were Chinese you'd probably feel crazy safe in the newer Chinese cars considering that every time you've ever hailed a cab you were probably riding in a Volkswagen Santana. A car that has all the safety technology of 1981.
I rode in a whole bunch of taxi's in China, and while I didn't feel safe in any of them the 5 year old Lifan was equally unsafe compared to the Santanas.
Most hilariously, I had a ton of taxi cab drivers tell me I didn't have to put on my seatbelt. The taxis purposely hide the seatbelts inside the back seats because most customers apparently don't wear the seatbelts and didn't want the buckle clips being in the way. So half the time I hailed a cab I had to dig the seatbelts out. One time a cab driver actually told me not to put my seatbelt on when I started to. Apparently the seatbelt hadn't been cleaned since probably the mid 80's because I ended up with a nice dirt stain all over my shirt from the seatbelt.
Since most drivers were surprised that I actually *wanted* to put on a seatbelt and go out of their way to tuck the seatbelts away in the back seats I think it's pretty safe to say that most people have a pretty laissez-faire attitude about safety.
Frankly though most of the people grew up with even more dangerous forms of transportation, and the middle-aged people still remember fun wartime and persecution so I guess the danger of a crappy car just isn't quite as frightening.
No matter how many taxi rides I took in a Santana though I was always scared out of my mind every time I got in one. For one thing you can't even tell whether you're hailing a 1985 Volkswagen Santana or a 2009 Volkswagen Santana since they pretty much look the same and the older ones sound like they might not even need an accident to fall apart.
At any rate, even with 89 models the reality is that about 95% of the cars on the street are from the few top tier manufacturers. There's variation depending on what city or province you're in. So if you're in Shanghai you'll see a ton of GM vehicles just because GM Shanghai is over there. But the random crazy manufacturers sell almost no cars, so other than being fun to look at in stunned horror they have no real bearing on the cars being sold. I'm not saying all the cars sold are really top notch (for example I saw a lot of JACs and under the skin those vehicles are all ancient tech) but the really ridiculous vehicles don't ever get driven.
I do hope that they manage to trim down the number of models being made though so they can put all the redundant money being spent on 89 models into maybe 5 good models or something.
airswingman 12:17AM (7/04/2009)
China always a hot topic, Geely must be happy~ lol
cFoo 12:35AM (7/04/2009)
Not to worry. At this pace they will run out of external products to cloy by year's end.
Quantumphysics 11:00AM (7/04/2009)
Volkswagon Santanas...brings back memories.
I meant what I said. So many Chinese people are poor that you could have virtualy any car from America and be considered to be living high on the hog.
Even if you had a Chrysler Sebring or 300 - you'd be considered RICH.
MajorGeek 4:58PM (7/03/2009)
Can we at least lick them safely?
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inv4zn 4:59PM (7/03/2009)
The only reason that's possible is because it took them the same amount of money to develop all 89 models as it takes to develop a single ACTUAL car
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British_Rover 5:04PM (7/03/2009)
Quantity not quality
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P.V. 11:00AM (7/05/2009)
Exactly right.
Also, (and this is a slight diversion but) I honestly think that the Geely GE looks better than that new "Grand Bentley".
frank 5:08PM (7/03/2009)
the chinese are going to kill what's left of detroit. give them a few years to improve quality as Hyundai did, and there is simply no way US automaters will be able to compete without exporting all their remaining manufacturing operations overseas.... probably to china. I bet even the Japanese are worried.
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Taglane 5:13PM (7/03/2009)
LOL
2004m3driver 5:31PM (7/03/2009)
Nah they can't get awesome government loans like we have.
CaramelZappa 11:59PM (7/03/2009)
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't buy a chinese car.
2004m3driver 5:34PM (7/03/2009)
I don't know if that was your attempt at humor or what, but please remove yourself from the gene pool. It could at least have been funny. I face palmed so hard I slapped myself.
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nuggetsmcduggets 6:00PM (7/03/2009)
I don't know if thats such an absurd number, considering the number and variety of people they have to please. (not being sarcastic)
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Tdogg 6:02PM (7/03/2009)
American chicks are better.
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chconline 6:10PM (7/03/2009)
Many American chicks decreases fuel economy. ;)
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