Will China's BYD Bring the F3DM to the U.S. or will this be Just Another Broken Promise?

When it comes to making cars,China is king. We’re talking the world’s largest car market, with over a hundred individual marques. So why is it that there are virtually zero Chinese car manufactures selling cars in the U.S. aka the world’s other largest car market?

So far, China’s “Big Four” (well, the four most visible to those outside of China) have made and broken promises of bringing their vehicles to the North American market. Brilliance, Chery, Nanjing and Geely have all backed down from their plans to open dealerships and factories stateside. So far, not a single car from China's major automakers has touched down on U.S. soil outside a motor show.

Senior analyst Bill Visnic of Edmunds.com explains why: “This isn’t computers or cellphones, where you just get into a big-box store. You need some dealerships, and those things are tremendous investments of time and resources. [The Chinese] thought it was going to be a lot easier than it was.”

BYD hopes to change all that. China’s sixth largest automaker provided plug-in hybrid cars to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and now plans on bringing that hybrid, the awkwardly , named F3DM to the U.S.A. for Spring 2012. It still could be an uphill challenge, though.

The fallout from the slump in auto sales after the Global Financial Crisis, the government’s bailouts of two of the Big Three, the liquidation of numerous dealerships and the reduction in hybrid sales that came with the sudden drop in fuel prices is still being felt in much of America’s automotive heartland. Add to that the small market share commanded by hybrid and electric vehicles – just 2.2% worldwide according to JD Power – and BYD may be in over their heads already.

AS Mike Omotoso from JD Power explains:

“Because consumers are wary about electric vehicles and their driving range and batteries, they are even more likely to go with more established companies like G.M. and Nissan. The problem with the Chinese car companies is they are trying to run before they walk.”

Will China's BYD Bring the F3DM to the U.S. or will this be Just Another Broken Promise?

When it comes to making cars,China is king. We’re talking the world’s largest car market, with over a hundred individual marques. So why is it that there are virtually zero Chinese car manufactures selling cars in the U.S. aka the world’s other largest car market?

So far, China’s “Big Four” (well, the four most visible to those outside of China) have made and broken promises of bringing their vehicles to the North American market. Brilliance, Chery, Nanjing and Geely have all backed down from their plans to open dealerships and factories stateside. So far, not a single car from China's major automakers has touched down on U.S. soil outside a motor show.

Senior analyst Bill Visnic of Edmunds.com explains why: “This isn’t computers or cellphones, where you just get into a big-box store. You need some dealerships, and those things are tremendous investments of time and resources. [The Chinese] thought it was going to be a lot easier than it was.”

BYD hopes to change all that. China’s sixth largest automaker provided plug-in hybrid cars to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and now plans on bringing that hybrid, the awkwardly , named F3DM to the U.S.A. for Spring 2012. It still could be an uphill challenge, though.

The fallout from the slump in auto sales after the Global Financial Crisis, the government’s bailouts of two of the Big Three, the liquidation of numerous dealerships and the reduction in hybrid sales that came with the sudden drop in fuel prices is still being felt in much of America’s automotive heartland. Add to that the small market share commanded by hybrid and electric vehicles – just 2.2% worldwide according to JD Power – and BYD may be in over their heads already.

AS Mike Omotoso from JD Power explains:

“Because consumers are wary about electric vehicles and their driving range and batteries, they are even more likely to go with more established companies like G.M. and Nissan. The problem with the Chinese car companies is they are trying to run before they walk.”

China to Get its Very Own State-Run Top Gear TV Show

China is widely considered to be the world’s largest car market, so it only makes sense that it would be the next nation to get a home grown version of Top Gear. After all, aside from Top Gear UK there’s also Top Gear Australia, Top Gear U.S.A. and Top Gear Russia.

The big fear at the moment is that Top Gear’s trademark brand of risqué humour and hilarious stunts won’t make it past the nominally strict Chinese censors, resulting in a show that’s less funny and lacking it’s UK cousin’s critical edge.

Cao Yunjin, a local comedian and one of Top Gear China’s (Zui Gao Dang’s) three hosts agrees:

“The boys go crazy in the show, like pushing a Maserati over the top of a three-storey building and smashing it. It may be too much violence for a fun programme in China.”

He does, however, promise that the show will stay true to its UK roots:

“Top Gear has been successful because the way the UK hosts present it is entertaining. We will do localised fun stuff.”

The pilot episode will feature a competition between a donkey and a Cadillac to see which is better suited to millstone work (that is, turning a wheel to grind wheat or grain). Zui Gao Dang will air later this year on China’s state-owned China Central Television.

China to Get its Very Own State-Run Top Gear TV Show

China is widely considered to be the world’s largest car market, so it only makes sense that it would be the next nation to get a home grown version of Top Gear. After all, aside from Top Gear UK there’s also Top Gear Australia, Top Gear U.S.A. and Top Gear Russia.

The big fear at the moment is that Top Gear’s trademark brand of risqué humour and hilarious stunts won’t make it past the nominally strict Chinese censors, resulting in a show that’s less funny and lacking it’s UK cousin’s critical edge.

Cao Yunjin, a local comedian and one of Top Gear China’s (Zui Gao Dang’s) three hosts agrees:

“The boys go crazy in the show, like pushing a Maserati over the top of a three-storey building and smashing it. It may be too much violence for a fun programme in China.”

He does, however, promise that the show will stay true to its UK roots:

“Top Gear has been successful because the way the UK hosts present it is entertaining. We will do localised fun stuff.”

The pilot episode will feature a competition between a donkey and a Cadillac to see which is better suited to millstone work (that is, turning a wheel to grind wheat or grain). Zui Gao Dang will air later this year on China’s state-owned China Central Television.

VIDEO: Chinese Biker Survives Accident thanks to some Crazy Kung Fu-Like Moves

Talk about lucky; here's a video of a Chinese motorcyclists who seemed to have all the right moves when he slammed into a little carry-all truck. As you can see from the clip after the jump, he was either extremely skilled or extremely lucky to be thrown off his ride the way he was.

If this accident weren't captured on CCTV, it would be the kind of stunt I'd expect to see in some 90's Jackie Chan movie. In that case, however, there would be people swarming the guy and dude would be using the formerly-known-as-a-motorcycle debris to whoop evildoers' behinds instead of probably being in shock. Hey, at least one or two of the surrounding drivers stopped to lend a hand.

Any (I'm guessing) Mandarin speakers out there, feel free to throw us a translation of the text in the comments below.

By Phil Alex

Via: Gizmodo / Jalopnik

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VIDEO: Chinese Biker Survives Accident thanks to some Crazy Kung Fu-Like Moves

Talk about lucky; here's a video of a Chinese motorcyclists who seemed to have all the right moves when he slammed into a little carry-all truck. As you can see from the clip after the jump, he was either extremely skilled or extremely lucky to be thrown off his ride the way he was.

If this accident weren't captured on CCTV, it would be the kind of stunt I'd expect to see in some 90's Jackie Chan movie. In that case, however, there would be people swarming the guy and dude would be using the formerly-known-as-a-motorcycle debris to whoop evildoers' behinds instead of probably being in shock. Hey, at least one or two of the surrounding drivers stopped to lend a hand.

Any (I'm guessing) Mandarin speakers out there, feel free to throw us a translation of the text in the comments below.

By Phil Alex

Via: Gizmodo / Jalopnik

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Audi Sells One Millionth Vehicle in China after 22yrs, Plans to Reach the Next Million within 3yrs

Audi reached a new milestone on Wednesday with the sale of its one millionth vehicle in China. The car was a metallic blue Q5 crossover, which was handed over to a customer from Changchun. The German company said of the 1 million cars delivered to Chinese customers, 950,000 were produced in Changchun and the other 50,000 imported.

"This record is yet another milestone in the history of Audi in China," remarked Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. "We were the first premium brand in China 22 years ago and have been the unrivaled market leader in this segment ever since – a success story we're extremely proud of."

As demand in China for luxury cars continues to boom, Audi believes it can reach the next million there by 2014.

"Over the entire year, we will deliver well over 200,000 cars to customers in China," stated Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, President of Audi China. "And we have already set our sights firmly on the next sales target: We intend to reach the second million within the next three years."

The history of the brand from Ingolstadt in China began in 1988 with a license agreement between Audi and FAW covering the assembly of the Audi 100 with imported parts kits. In 1995, the VW Group and FAW formed a new joint venture resulting in the local production of the Audi 200 a year later. In Changchun today, the company with the four-rings produces the long-wheelbase A6L and A4L and, since 2009, the Q5 for the Chinese market.

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Audi Sells One Millionth Vehicle in China after 22yrs, Plans to Reach the Next Million within 3yrs

Audi reached a new milestone on Wednesday with the sale of its one millionth vehicle in China. The car was a metallic blue Q5 crossover, which was handed over to a customer from Changchun. The German company said of the 1 million cars delivered to Chinese customers, 950,000 were produced in Changchun and the other 50,000 imported.

"This record is yet another milestone in the history of Audi in China," remarked Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. "We were the first premium brand in China 22 years ago and have been the unrivaled market leader in this segment ever since – a success story we're extremely proud of."

As demand in China for luxury cars continues to boom, Audi believes it can reach the next million there by 2014.

"Over the entire year, we will deliver well over 200,000 cars to customers in China," stated Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, President of Audi China. "And we have already set our sights firmly on the next sales target: We intend to reach the second million within the next three years."

The history of the brand from Ingolstadt in China began in 1988 with a license agreement between Audi and FAW covering the assembly of the Audi 100 with imported parts kits. In 1995, the VW Group and FAW formed a new joint venture resulting in the local production of the Audi 200 a year later. In Changchun today, the company with the four-rings produces the long-wheelbase A6L and A4L and, since 2009, the Q5 for the Chinese market.

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MG to Build First All-New Model in 15 Years at its UK Plant

MG Rover's old Longbridge car plant is set to comeback in a big way when SAIC / MG begins building its first all new car in 15 years at the end of the year. The plant will start producing the MG6 mid-size model from knocked-down kits imported from China, preceding the UK relaunch of MG as a "value brand" in 2011.

The all new car will be available initially as a five-door fastback, with a four-door saloon to follow later on. The automaker optimistically told the Financial Times that customer clinics have compared the MG6 with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia and even with small BMWs. Prices in the UK are said to range between £16,000 to £20,000 (US$25,425 to US$31,780).

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) bought the intellectual property rights to some of MG's cars and engines after the collapse of parent company MG Rover in 2005. Meanwhile, Nanjing Automobile bought much of the production equipment back in 2007.

The latter's 2007 estimate of selling 50,000 cars a year appears to have been rather optimistic, with actual sales being more of the order of, "hundreds, not thousands". The two companies are now merged under the SAIC name.

MG's Birmingham office employs some 300 engineers and 30 design staff, who provide design and engineering services to parent SAIC. MG Birmingham has previously contributed its extensive knowhow to the development of the Roewe 550 and 350 sedans and the MG Zero concept car that was shown at the Beijing Auto Show earlier this year.

Chinese automakers have had no success exporting cars to Western Europe and the United States in the past. MG Birmingham's input is especially important for SAIC, with the Chinese still struggling to make large cars that are competitive with the Europeans. David Lindley, Head of SAIC's Technical Centre explains:

"There's still a lack of capability in Shanghai, and probably will be for years, to design a new vehicle from a clean sheet of paper."

The success of the MG6 is essential for the future of Longbridge and for MG's European operations. At present, Longbridge only builds small numbers of the outdated MG TF roadster.

Only time will tell if MG can buck the trend and recapture the hearts and minds of British consumers. The MG6 will hopefully be the first step in this difficult process.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: FT (sub. req.) , Kudos to Aikiv for the tip!

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