(虽然媒体最初报道说，吉利汽车将在明年起在加拿大销售，但随后的报道指，厂方销售部负责人认为，还需要3-5年的时间。–Jack注)
中国吉利汽车进军加国市场
世界日报/中国吉利汽车公司和中美汽车合作公司（Chamco）本周共同宣布，将从明年起在加拿大以低廉的价格销售吉利汽车。这一新发展必将令已处于激烈价格战中的加拿大汽车零售市场，掀起新一轮的更猛烈竞争。
具体操作安排中国汽车进入北美市场的中美汽车合作公司表示，将在加拿大销售的车款，是吉利公司出产的小型卡车（pickup）和多功能车（SUV），起价1万3500美元左右，准备第一年销出1万5000 辆。这样的价钱，比目前加拿大市场上同类汽车中最便宜的都要低20%。
中美汽车合作公司执行长薄勒克在底特律说：“品质、式样和价格，将使吉利汽车公司能够达成在加拿大的销售目标。”
作为中介和推销商的中国汽车合作公司，在帮助外国汽车进军北美市场方面很有经验，最近二十年来，已帮助许多外国品牌顺利地进入了美国市场，在20世纪80年代，韩国现代汽车曾与 CHAMCO 公司合作把现代汽车成功地打入了美国市场。
但北美汽车市场是全球竞争最激烈、标准和都要求最高的地区，经济和科技实力均比较低下的吉利公司，是否能在这个市场站得住脚，值得观察。
从价格上看，吉利公司以1万3500加元的价格在北美出售汽车，应该仍有利可图。问题是吉利公司有没有能力在北美设立庞大的销售和售后服务纲络，因为卖汽车不像是卖皮鞋，你付我钱、我给你货，银货两讫，交易便完成了。
出售汽车的公司，一定要有完整的销售和售后服务网络，以便向顾客提供保证和维护、修理服务。在北美出售汽车，还有一项不容忽视的服务，那就是否能够提供汽车贷款服务，因为很少有一下子掏得出一万多元现钞能力的购车者。
吉利公司是1980年代中期才起步的乡镇企业，最初以制造冰箱配件起家，1994年涉足摩托车制造，1997年才开始着手制造微型汽车。虽然该公司发展迅速，然而不要说在全球的排名了，就是在中国的汽车行业内，她的规模和财力都相当靠后。
这家公司的创办人暨董事长李书福眼光独到，在中国汽车制造业者中可谓最有创造力和闯劲的人，没有他就没有吉利公司的今天，可是毕竟商场中不仅要靠魄力和魅力，更讲究实力。
回顾北美汽车销售市场，有多少国际著名的汽车公司在此锻羽而归，如法国的标致、义大利的飞亚特、俄罗斯的拉达都是前车之鉴。
尽管艰难多险，但敢于藐视重重障碍、勇闯北美市场的中国汽车制造公司，其实不止吉利一家，至少在五年前，美国商界名人布瑞克林（Malcolm Brincklin）即开始为在美国销售中国奇瑞汽车公司的产品布局。布瑞克林当时扬言，他将从2007年夏季起，在美国出售零售价预期为1万9000美元的奇瑞中型轿车，并将在美国各地设立200家经销店，如果一切顺利，未来还要进军加拿大。可是，中国奇瑞进军北美之事在前年底即无疾而终。
相对于奇瑞公司和其美国代理商布瑞克林，吉利公司的进军北美策略比较保守，采用的是渐进策略，即先在其它国外市场尝试外销，在取得经验后再进入北美。
中美汽车合作公司执行长薄勒克表示：“吉利汽车已在52个国家销售，他们生产的汽车在最恶劣的气候下接受过严格测试，吉利汽车是经得起考验的。”
吉利汽车公司已在向加拿大汽车经销商展示准备在加拿大销售的汽车，可是一直要等到通过加拿大有关部门的审查、符合加拿大的各项标准，才可能出现在本国车行的展示厅中。
中国汽车开进加拿大：市场前景如何？
加国无忧网编译 作者：小牧
正在美国底特律举行的国际汽车展览会（2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit）上，中国汽车制造厂家一共有5家公司参展。这前所未有的阵容着实吸引了不少目光。然而，还没有等大家的注意力消散，“中国军团”又爆惊人消息。据《环球邮报》报道，有两家参展的中国汽车制造商忽然于会上高调宣布：计划于2009年将其轿车和轻卡销往加拿大！众所周知，加拿大汽车市场竞争激烈如火，而这两家中国公司的决定无疑将使火上浇油。
据悉，这两家公司分别是中美合作汽车公司（China America Cooperative Automotive Inc；简称“Chamco”）和浙江吉利汽车控股集团公司（Geely Holdings Group）。所谓没有金刚钻，不揽瓷器活，他们既然敢搅加拿大汽车市场这浑水，做中国汽车行业大规模进军加国的开路先锋，想必一定有什么制胜的法宝吧？面对着记者们的疑问，中美合作汽车公司的CEO威廉·博拉克（William Pollack）的回答显得雄心勃勃且信心十足。
他表示，“质量、款式和价格”就是他手上的三样法宝。他旗下的中国汽车已在全世界154个国家销售，并在地球环境最恶劣的地区进行过试验，用户反应和性能成绩都很好。而明年，中美公司率先打入加拿大汽车市场的车型是皮卡（pickup truck）和SUV，起价仅13,000美元，比市场上同类车辆低了足足有20%！最后，博拉克更声称他们计划明年在加国销售15000台车。
另据消息称，这次中美公司在北美销售的是中国河北中兴汽车公司的产品，而这些车辆现正在美国本土进行测试，并有望很快获得安全认证。如果一切顺利，今年晚些时候这些汽车将在美国先行开拓市场；随后，这批汽车将在加拿大进行检测，在获得认证后会迅速在当地开始销售。先前，博拉克虽一度表示现在最大的难题就是如何满足北美地区苛刻的技术标准，然而他显然对自己手上的产品更有信心，据说他已向加拿大本地的汽车经销商展示过其手中的样品。
而吉利公司则没有像中美公司这么大张旗鼓，也没有提及具体的销售计划。不过，这次展览会上吉利公司的参展产品是FC紧凑型轿车（compact car）和形似伦敦出租车的TX4型轿车，所以有相关人士估计，明年他们打入加拿大市场的产品就是这两种中的一种，或是类似车型。
中国汽车打入加拿大后会对本地的汽车市场的格局带来什么样的影响，他们能占领多少市场份额呢？业内人士对此观点十分不统一。烈治文山德鲁西汽车顾问公司(DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.)总裁、产业分析家丹尼斯·德鲁西就对中国汽车日后在加拿大的销售情况并不表示乐观。他说，虽然中国汽车价格便宜，但只不过是劳动力成本低廉造成的，而这并不是不可打破的优势。现在越来越多的国际大汽车生产商在中国建立了制造点，这个优势已渐渐被共享了。其实，作为加拿大本地人，他们还是更愿意购买那些大公司在中国生产的商品，质量、性能有保证，价钱又高不到哪里去，比中国公司自己的产品更可靠。德鲁西最后说：“中国汽车无论是在舒适度、光洁度还是总体质量上都不足以和北美的同行们媲美，他们在销售上至少还有5年的路才能赶上他们呢！”
不过，以新车评分而闻名的美国著名消费者调查公司J. D. Power and Associates却不这么认为，该公司加拿大业务顾问部执行主管理查德·库珀（Richard Cooper）昨天对记者表示，中国汽车进军加拿大，其势不可小觑。他说，不可否认，顾客对新产品都会有所疑惑，但是中国汽车商是有备而来，自然有办法打消顾客们的种种疑惑。库珀还强调说，业内人士恐怕都应该重视起来。
在主流媒体《环球邮报》的网络新闻评论板上，中国汽车要来了这一话题也成了热门话题。
如前所述，中国汽车的最大优势是价格低廉，但从评论来看，网友似乎对中国汽车的价格优势并不十分在意。评论中，仅有很小一小部分人为价格便宜的中国汽车进军加拿大而大声叫好。正如《环球邮报》本地读者Randal Oulton大声欢呼道：“让他们来吧！劳工阶层再也不需要用二次抵押的方式来买车了！”然而，他的欢呼并没有得到很多人的附和。
相反，更多人纷纷在评论板上表达了他们对中国汽车质量的担心。有人甚至把中国汽车的质量和本地中国小商品的质量联系起来，影射中国产品质量总不过关。还有人就今后中国汽车对加拿大本土汽车制造相关产业所带来的的不利影响表示了担心。
而《环球邮报》多伦多读者gao gao的话想必代表了多数人的心声，他说：“就像当初日本车和韩国车刚来的那时候一样，我最注重的还是安全性能。我想，我要等上至少5年，看看情况，再决定买不买中国车。”而针对中国车进军加拿大，他则评论道：“选择越多，对消费者总是越好吧。”
http://info.51.ca/news/canada/2008/01/15/144424.shtml
底特律车展美国媒体高度赞誉吉利汽车
吉利汽车两年后再次参加底特律车展，倡导技术和品质领先、立志打造最安全、最环保、最节能汽车的吉利成为展会首日媒体关注的焦点。当地时间13日一开展，来自华尔街日报、时代杂志、今日美国、美国CNBC电视网、彭博新闻通讯社、新华社、中央电视台等国内外主流媒体纷纷聚焦吉利汽车。
Norihiko Shirouzu是《华尔街日报》的记者，当天展会一开馆，就来到吉利的展台，第一时间采访吉利集团董事长李书福。Norihiko Shirouzu说，中国汽车工业现在发展的速度非常快，引起了世界范围内的广泛关注，吉利汽车作为中国汽车工业的佼佼者，也给人留下了非常深刻的发展印象。他在和李书福董事长的采访中感受到，吉利是一个脚踏实地的企业，它有着自己的发展思路和规划，沿着自己的目标正在不断的前进。Norihiko Shirouzu对吉利倡导技术领先的理念非常赞同，他说，坚持技术领先的观念非常好，不论在中国还是在美国，甚至在世界的任何一个国家，能够促使企业持续发展的关键并不是价格，而是技术，只有技术的领先才能保持产品的核心竞争力。Norihiko Shirouzu用“收获”这样的词语来形容他对吉利的采访，他表示通过对吉利的近距离接触，让他感受到了一个中国企业的抱负和务实的态度，他和他所在的《华尔街日报》将继续关注吉利的发展。
Sharon Silke Carty是《今日美国》的记者，在此次展会之前她对吉利、对中国汽车并不了解，只知道吉利是首家参加底特律北美车展的中国企业，这次吉利汽车再度赴美，她很想实地了解中国汽车发展的现状。Norihiko Shirouzu说，质量是衡量一个汽车产品最重要的指标，只有在质量第一的前提下，一切目标和期望才有保障和基础。吉利现在提出技术领先的理念非常符合这个规律，只有保证技术上不断领先，才能在世界汽车的质量竞争中先人一步。Norihiko Shirouzu还对即将在当地时间1月14日发布的重大技术成果表示了浓厚的兴趣。她说，汽车安全技术一直是世界汽车界关注的焦点，目前在汽车领域并没有什么突破性、权威性的技术和标准，吉利能够在底特律北美车展举行有关汽车安全方面的成果发布会，仅这一点就十分值得期待。
在实地感受吉利产品后，前来采访的各家媒体记者都对吉利两年来的变化表示惊叹。部分采访过吉利首次参展的美国记者认为，吉利作为一个新兴的汽车企业，能在短短的两年内取得这样的成绩很出乎意料。吉利这次到底特律不但带来了六款车型，而且还要发布一项重大的技术成果，这在参展的汽车企业中是很罕见的。不少美国人对吉利汽车并不太了解，所以能在这样一个重要的国际展会中全面展示吉利的技术力量无疑对吉利汽车本身是个很大的促进。
http://news.rednet.cn/c/2008/01/16/1420441.htm
12家主流车企2007年成绩单 半数车企歉收
……
●吉利汽车艰难调整
2007年，吉利汽车完成销量21.95万辆，距离年初的29万销量目标还有7万多辆的距离，但仍有一定增长。
记者点评：吉利今年处于调整期，人事有变动，华普的销量在萎缩，而新车远景的销量也未达目标，仅有自由舰表现出色。2008年吉利将推出两厢金刚、熊猫等新车，但市场竞争更为困难。
……
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gj/kong/news/2008/01-16/1136347.shtml
中国自主品牌车企亮相底特律 参展利弊再惹争议
2008年01月15日 10:52 来源：第一财经日报
尽管依旧缺失积极打造自主品牌的上汽、一汽等大集团身影，但来自中国的吉利、长丰、中兴、比亚迪和李氏光明5家中国公司，已集体赴美参加了位列全球五大车展之首的北美国际汽车展。就在“中国阵营”创下中国自主汽车品牌参展数量历年之最时，却惹来了业内对此的诸多争议。
5家中国车企亮相底特律
1月13日(美国时间)，展示世界汽车工业最高水平的第20届北美国际车展在美国底特律开幕。为一改两年前在偏僻角落搭建小展台并在安全性方面屡遭质疑的形象，第二次赴美参展的吉利汽车集团高调宣称，一项长期困扰世界汽车安全行驶的技术难题——车辆高速行驶中突然爆胎的安全控制在吉利成功破解。
除吉利汽车外，首次参展底特律的长丰汽车展示了其最新上市的SUV——猎豹CS6、将在今年上市的猎豹CS7以及首次试水轿车领域的成果——骐菱多功能轿车。比亚迪则展出了中级车F3、F3R，中高级轿车F6和F6DM双模电动汽车以及硬顶敞篷结构的轿跑车F8；中兴汽车也带来了威虎皮卡和无限SUV两款车型；而李氏光明汽车设计公司则展出了自己设计和制造的3款电动小车。
参展的意义
就在“中国阵营”纷纷高调海外赴展的同时，国内一些主流汽车企业及相关行业人士却对此存在争议。一位就职于上海的美籍汽车行业分析师告诉《第一财经日报》，中国2006年新车销量超过日本，成为仅次于美国的第二大汽车消费国。中国参展汽车商的增加反映了中国汽车市场的急剧成长。但众所周知，国际车展最重要的是展示新车型和新技术，而研发一款车花几亿美元实属正常。让外界吃不准的是，中国厂商参展的目的究竟是为了打入美国市场而来做宣传还是为了展示技术。
“要打入美国市场，其产品就必须满足美国联邦政府的环境和安全标准，可问题是，中国汽车要美国市场的传闻很多，却无一梦想成真，就连在美国市场相对熟悉的奇瑞汽车也没来参展。参加2007年北美车展时，长丰董事长李建新就曾明确扬言将要在两到三年间进入北美汽车市场。可一年过去，目前似乎进展不大。”这位分析师说。
不过，记者注意到，尽管有人认为部分亮相海外车展的中国车型“形象欠佳”，高额参展的投资回报率不高，但中国汽车在进军欧美市场的努力和积极作用不能否认。如李氏光明汽车设计公司就另辟蹊径，找到了进军欧美的快速通道。
该公司董事长李光明说：“按照欧美法规，在旅游景点开的车是不需要严格认证的，因此我们参加国际车展就是冲着要向欧美国家销售这些车型，目前我们的旅游电动车产品在欧洲市场的定价大约在2.8万~6万元之间，现在已经在做相关的认证工作，如果顺利的话，今年年底可以在欧美开始卖，甚至车展现场就能签单。”(蒋婷婷）
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/auto/cjxw/news/2008/01-15/1134237.shtml
吉利汽车长丰汽车海外建厂渗透北美市场
太平洋汽车网/参加北美国际汽车展仅是中国汽车海外战略的一步。昨日，记者从吉利汽车处获悉，吉利汽车计划近期在海外建立4家新工厂，其中一家准备设在墨西哥，为进军美国市场打开通道。
吉利汽车董事长李书福在北美汽车展上表示，吉利汽车将和合作伙伴投资5亿美元，在墨西哥共建合资工厂，未来在墨西哥生产的产品将出口到美国。
尽管并未过多透露合作伙伴的名称、工厂建设规划、以及建厂时间等细节，但李书福对进军美国市场阐明信心：“未来出口至美国的汽车，我们将完全按照美国消费者的需求设计。”
吉利内部人士透露，吉利一直筹划进入美国市场，已经对美国相关法规、市场需求、销售渠道建设作了充分调研。据了解，吉利汽车未来年产能力将在2015年前达到170万辆，同时设计出两厢或三厢中级车，以进军美国这一全球最大的汽车市场。
与此同时，连续两年参加北美车展的长丰汽车公司也宣布，拟在美国建立组装工厂，2009年将正式出口美国。长丰董事长李建新表示，2008年希望集团出口能增长50%，2010年计划出口6万辆汽车。
业内人士认为，中国汽车进入美国市场面临诸多问题，包括安全标准的达标、销售网的完善等，到美国销售汽车起码要在4—5年之后。而在北美顺利建厂，将有助于中国汽车降低风险，加快进军美国的速度。
中国车进军美国加拿大 作秀露怯
万维读者网上官天乙综合报道，昨天世界日报刚刚披露中国吉利汽车进军加拿大的消息 ，今天，环球时报又说中国车进军美国，在底特律车展上作秀露怯。华尔街日报报道说，希望开拓海外业务的中国汽车制造商正在谨慎而稳健地接近美国市场。大多数中国轿车在安全性和环保标准方面仍落后于日本及欧美厂家。美国一些汽车业人士和媒体记者对中国厂家展出的车型提出了批评意见。但由于定价较低，这些汽车吸引了俄罗斯和拉丁美洲等新兴市场买家。同时，中国汽车的质量也在迅速提高。几个中国厂家的展台设在主展厅的楼下，这种待遇就好比在家庭聚餐时被安排在儿童桌旁。
参观了中国厂家展出的汽车，丰田汽车美国销售部门的董事长兼首席执行长Yukitoshi Funo说，比他预想的要好很多。但中国企业仍需要证明他们的销售和服务能力。产品本身并不能确保销售的成功。
据环球时报记者李洁思报道， 1月13日在底特律的北美国际汽车展上，中国公司引起了格外关注。诸多媒体在惊呼“中国制造商向美国市场进发”的同时，也指出了中国汽车商从制造技术到售后服务的诸多问题，有的还嘲笑参展厂商把名片上的名字印错、说明书的英文很蹩脚，读起来“很痛苦”。专家指出，中国汽车品牌无论硬件还是软件的建设都还不具备“占领国际市场”的能力，某些企业盲目参加国际车展，可能会对整个中国汽车工业的国际形象造成不良影响。
吉利、比亚迪、长丰、李氏汽车设计公司和中美汽车合作公司组成了此次参加北美国际展的“中国军团”，这也是中国历来参展规模最大的一次。因此，诸多媒体在报道此次车展时，都不忘提及“中国汽车”，认为中国汽车制造商正试图通过参展来达到“进军国际市场”的目的。
加拿大《多伦多星报》报道称，越来越多的中国汽车制造商到底特律来“炫耀自己的模型”，但这只能体现他们的热情，因为一些模型的投产至少还需要三年甚至更长的时间。《洛杉矶时报》报道说，“环保车”和“混合动力车”是底特律车展的一大改变，但这可能只是一个简单的“廉价滞销品”。
在美国《机动车社区》网站，一篇名为“中国人还没来”的文章详细描述了“中国军团”的参展现场，认为“中国人的准备实在不够充分”。“比亚迪公司美国副总裁迈克尔·奥斯汀名片上的名字还印错了”，而另一件需要长丰和其他中国公司考虑的事情则是：雇一家美国当地的公关公司，因为今年的新闻稿看上去和去年的一样痛苦和搞笑。《今日美国》网站则报道说，尽管长丰集团老总李建兴用英语做了演讲，但发言中却充满翻译上的歧义。
“倘若一些中国汽车品牌再这样盲目地、准备不足地参加国际车展，将很有可能损害中国汽车业在国际上的整体形象。”汽车工业专家贾新光说。中国汽车企业在国际车展遭到国外这样的负面评价已经不是第一次。
专家认为，参加国际车展的中国品牌中，有一些并不是中国的龙头品牌，这些汽车制造商参展的目的更多是寻求“展示、宣传效应”，而对于其展示产品的质量、实用性却并不在意。“许多参展企业在参展前根本没有对国际市场有所了解就匆匆上阵，导致参展车型并不符合国际标准”，这严重影响了中国汽车的整体形象。
环球时报指出，中国汽车要想真正登上世界舞台、真正“占领欧美市场”，还有很长的一段路要走。专家说，实际上，迄今为止，还没有任何一家中国汽车品牌可以做到“真正意义上的出口世界”，质量和售后服务是中国汽车品牌的“两大硬伤”。“有一些生产企业在外销国际时没有任何售后服务，可以说是‘赚了一笔钱就跑’”。对于中国汽车制造商而言，当务之急是“扎实地提高生产水平和技术创新实力”，而不是一味地想着到国际车展“秀”上一把。
吉利汽车跃跃欲试进军加拿大
据世界日报消息，中国吉利汽车公司和中美汽车合作公司（Chamco）已经宣布，將从明年起在加拿大以低廉的价格销售吉利汽车。具体操作安排中国汽车进入北美市场的中美汽车合作公司表示，將在加拿大销售的车款，是吉利公司生产的小型卡车（pickup）和多功能车（SUV），起价1万3500美元左右，准备第一年销出1万5000 辆。这样的价钱，比目前加拿大市场上同类汽车中最便宜的都要低20%。
中美汽车合作公司执行长薄勒克在底特律说：“品质、式样和价格，將使吉利汽车公司能够达成在加拿大的销售目标。”
报道说，作為中介和推销商的中国汽车合作公司，在帮助外国汽车进军北美市场方面很有经验，最近二十年来，已帮助许多外国品牌顺利地进入了美国市场，在20世纪80年代，韩国现代汽车曾与 CHAMCO 公司合作把现代汽车成功地打入了美国市场。 但北美汽车市场是全球竞爭最激烈、标准和都要求最高的地区，经济和科技实力均比较低下的吉利公司，是否能在这个市场站得住脚，值得观察。
从价格上看，吉利公司以1万3500加元的价格在北美出售汽车，应该仍有利可图。问题是吉利公司有没有能力在北美设立庞大的销售和售后服务纲络，因為卖汽车不像是卖皮鞋，你付我钱、我给你货，银货两讫，交易便完成了。
出售汽车的公司，一定要有完整的销售和售后服务网络，以便向顾客提供保证和维护、修理服务。在北美出售汽车，还有一项不容忽视的服务，那就是否能够提供汽车贷款服务，因为很少有一下子掏得出一万多元现钞能力的购车者。
吉利公司是1980年代中期才起步的乡镇企业，最初以制造冰箱配件起家，1994年涉足摩托车製造，1997年才开始著手制造微型汽车。虽然该公司发展迅速，然而不要说在全球的排名，就是在中国的汽车行业內，规模和財力也都相当靠后。 可见吉利车正是环球时报所谓非中国龙头品牌。
世界日报说，回顾北美汽车销售市场，有多少国际著名的汽车公司在此锻羽而归，如法国的标致、义大利的飞亚特、俄罗斯的拉达。
勇闯北美市场的中国汽车制造公司，其实不止吉利一家，至少在五年前，美国商界名人布瑞克林即开始為在美国销售中国奇瑞汽车公司的产品布局。布瑞克林当时扬言，他將从2007年夏季起，在美国出售零售价预期為1万9000美元的奇瑞中型轿车，並將在美国各地设立200家经销店，未来还要进军加拿大。可是，中国奇瑞进军北美之事在前年底即无疾而终。
相对於奇瑞公司和其美国代理商布瑞克林，吉利公司的进军北美策略比较保守，採用的是渐进策略，即先在其它国外市场尝试外销，在取得经验后再进入北美。
中美汽车合作公司执行长薄勒克表示：“吉利汽车已在52个国家销售，他们生产的汽车在最恶劣的气候下接受过严格测试，吉利汽车是经得起考验的。”
中国五款车登陆巴黎
另据环球时报2006年9月30日的报道 ，已经举办了108年的巴黎车展是世界五大车展之一，当年巴黎车展的亮点之一就是，来自中国的自主品牌汽车首次在巴黎车展亮相，引起各国媒体的关注。
中国参展的主要是陆风汽车和长城汽车的五款车型。虽然这些中国车与来自日本、韩国及欧美的一些著名品牌汽车同台亮相，但受到的关注一点都不比后者少，许多专业人士都以挑剔的眼光将该品牌汽车与欧美同类车进行比较，并用数码相机拍下车体及内饰的有关细节。
法新社评论说，陆风汽车和长城汽车仅是中国汽车工业的先锋，在不久的未来，中国车将在全球奔驰。分析认为，到2020年，中国汽车产量就将占世界首位。
陆风是第一个登陆欧洲的中国汽车品牌，在2005年法兰克福车展上遭遇“碰撞门”事件后，欧洲人曾一度将中国车称为“危险的铁皮罐头”。在这次巴黎车展上，参观者对中国车的关注多多少少带了点“好奇”和“怀疑”。事实上，在正式开展前，中国车已经吸引了不少业内人士和记者的关注，他们中也有人认为它的塑胶、油漆、门闩都还不够理想。一位参观者坐在造型时尚的车中说：“它开始看上去像辆真正的汽车了，不是吗？”一位谢绝透露名字的法国经销商边用力拉车内的毛毯边说：“质量的确不太让人满意，但是我们没有理由不相信他们会迅速改善。”
陆风代理商伊莉莎白·扬说：“我们看到了日本和韩国汽车在欧洲的成功，我们同样相信中国汽车也会成功，而且它的成功速度会更快，5年内情况就将有大改变，中国的汽车厂商将在欧洲大出风头。”
日本本田汽车展台的负责人说：“中国要赶上欧美和日本的竞争者，还有很长的路要走。我们日本的汽车工业也走过很长的路，我们先是模仿，然后改良，这都需要时间。”但是他也承认，现在日本的汽车厂商已经非常重视来自中国的竞争。
法国《世界报》则称：“尽管中国人只展出了少量车型，不少欧洲厂商已经感到了竞争的压力。”一位不愿透露姓名的车商说：“虽然现在中国车对欧洲品牌难以造成威胁，但是欧洲中低端市场将最终成为它们的领地。”
比利时Eurotax汽车公司的专家伊迪斯·巴尔德认为：“中国汽车厂商做得比日本厂商更好，因为他们学习得更快。我相信，不出3年，中国品牌将能同福特、本田等品牌相媲美，从而在欧洲市场上同过去的垄断者们一争高下。”
http://news.creaders.net/headline/newsViewer.php?nid=331908&id=774536&dcid=17
China gearing up for North American auto market
Updated Mon. Jan. 14 2008 10:05 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Chinese automakers are getting ready to crack the North American market — with price as their main selling point.
At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, four Chinese carmakers and an importer are showing off their best models.
Two years ago, only one Chinese manufacturer was at the show.
But just as the Japanese and Koreans before them, quality may be an issue early on, says Toronto-based auto analyst Dennis Desrosiers.
“I’m totally underwhelmed with the product in terms of fit, finish, power, ergonomics, design, that passes the muster for North America,” he told CTV News. “It probably is adequate enough to fill a role as a used-car substitute.”
Still, with more than two million Canadians buying a used car last year, a new car in the same price range may be a niche that the Chinese can exploit.
“They have one thing and one thing only to sell — and that’s price,” said Desrosiers.
Some Chinese car makers believe their new cars could sell for as little as $6,000.
China America Co-operative Automotive Inc. (Chamco) importers is planning to sell 15,000 vehicles in Canada. The vehicles, a pickup truck and an SUV, are expected to retail for less than $15,000.
“It would be a used-car buyer who would be able to buy a new car, with a new car warranty, for the same as he would pay for the used that he was consideringm but there will be some new car buyers that will consider the product as well,” Chamco’s Tom Telfer told CTV News.
The other company looking to sell cars in Canada is Geely.
(The Geely exhibit is seen at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. (AP / Carlos Osorio))
Even if the Chinese don’t see a lot of sales, they could put pressure on other manufacturers to lower prices — which would end up helping consumers.
“GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota are incredibly intense competitors,” said Desrosiers. “They would respond.”
Canadian consumers will have to wait a while before Chinese cars actually hit showroom floors.
The first models could be in select regions of Canada as early as 2009 but coast-to-coast sales are likely still five years away.
With a report from CTV’s David Akin and files from The Associated Press
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080114/chinese_cars_080114/20080114?hub=World
Chinese automakers aim at North American market
Last Updated: Monday, January 14, 2008 | 9:28 AM ET
The Associated Press
Chinese automakers are showing increasing interest in cracking the lucrative North American market.
A Chinese model dressed as a guardsman stands next to a new London taxi manufactured by the Chinese company Geely on the opening day for the public of the Auto Shanghai exhibition on April 22, 2007.
(Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
Over the past year, Chinese companies have worked on the quality and performance of their vehicles but industry experts say they’ll need to persuade drivers that an inexpensive, Chinese-made car is a better value than a used car by an established U.S. or Japanese company.
Two years ago, a lone Geely Automobile Co. sedan marked the first time a Chinese automaker displayed at the North American International Auto Show.
Last year, Geely was absent but China’s Changfeng Motor Group showed a pair of small sport utility vehicles and two pickups in a more polished display.
This year, four Chinese automakers and an importer have displays. Geely is back with eight vehicles and Changfeng returned with two SUVs, plus two more vehicles that were to be unveiled Monday. Two companies are planning to sell cars in Canada, the Globe and Mail reported.
Geely and the China America Co-operative Automotive Inc. (Chamco) importers said they plan to sell vehicles in Canada in 2009. Chamco said it is planning to sell 15,000. On offer will be a pickup truck and an SUV. Prices will start at about $13,500, company officials said.
Cars to roll out in Canada in 2009
Sales will start in the United States this year and in Canada early in 2009, assuming the vehicles can meet Canadian standards, the company said.
“These are … durable, quality cars,” William Pollack, Chamco’s chairman and chief executive, said in an interview Sunday.
“I think the consumers will embrace the cars.”
Pollack said his company — and the Chinese — recognize the importance of getting it right when selling to U.S. drivers. Chamco has focused on making sure quality is high and prices are low, an estimated 20 per cent less than comparable models. Styling, he noted, follows that of established automakers.
Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book auto guide in Irvine, Calif., said Japanese and South Korean companies faced similar quality concerns in their earlier days as those now facing Chinese automakers. Key, he said, will be how well those first cars stack up against current models in the U.S. market.
“It’s an obstacle, but certainly not an insurmountable one. There certainly will be some skepticism about Chinese-built cars,” Nerad said.
“They have to hit the ground with high quality. Stumbles early with product quality can be devastating.”
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/01/14/car-china.html
Geely grabs initiative, plans to expand in U.S. and Canada
Dave Hall, Windsor Star
Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2006
More than two decades after Japanese automakers first started making inroads into the North American market, another Asian competitor has its sights set on following suit.
Unveiling its plans to sell a compact sedan in the U.S. and Canadian markets within three years, China-based Geely Automotive Co. made its intentions abundantly clear Tuesday.
Company chairman Li Shufu said “our goal is to present to the American people another choice for the family sedan, a vehicle that has the highest quality but is available at the lowest price.”
Frank Zu, sales director for Geely International Corp., said the company wants to gradually increase its stable of models by adapting those it already sells in China for wider global distribution. The company already sells a small sports car, a pick-up, a full-size luxury vehicle as well as a hatchback model.
The vehicle on display here features a 1.49 litre, four-cylinder engine, air conditioning, power steering, alloy wheels, fabric seats and CD player.
Capitalizing on a workforce which it pays less than $4 an hour, compared to the $30 being paid in most North American assembly plants, Geely expects the car to sell for less than $10,000.
Geely, which went into the automotive business in 1996, now sells more than 100,000 vehicles annually in China.
While the majority of its domestic competitors have acquired technology through joint ventures with companies such as Honda, General Motors and Volkswagen, Geely has been quietly developing its own after first starting out manufacturing bicycles and motor scooters.
In defending Geely’s decision to remain independent, Li said “Joint ventures will fade away over time. In the future, it will be private Chinese companies that rule the industry.”
China already has three state-owned automakers but only one currently produces a vehicle.
Touted by Bricklin
Chery, another private competitor being touted by Malcolm Bricklin, has announced it will start selling cars in the U.S. by next year.
And it’s this new-found reliance on home-grown technology which should make the remainder of the global industry take notice, said Howard Lin, a business professor at the University of Windsor and an expert on the burgeoning Chinese manufacturing sector.
Lin said that Geely and Chery are the first two “indigenous Chinese automakers in that they are developing their own technology and not relying on joint ventures. There’s a new spirit of entrepreneurship developing in China and these two companies are at the forefront.
“I think a lot of North American competitors will be justified in being concerned about what the future may hold once China enters the marketplace.”
While existing global automakers are seeking to tap into the populous Asian markets, Asian manufacturers in all fields have long since recognized the value of becoming a presence in the affluent North American and European markets.
“At the moment, Geely’s market share in China is not huge and its brand it not as good as its joint venture competitors, but the company has a vision and a dream to be successful abroad,” said Lin.
“They are working very hard to improve quality and realize that is critical if they are to achieve their ultimate target of selling cars in North America.”
http://working.canada.com/ottawa/sectors/story.html?s_id=dAW1AViyxQlWnSRxgpopW5FB%2FjChIGF97dClIwkX4ZghJ3mAM6nwUw%3D%3D
Chinese cars headed for Canada at cut-rate prices
By GREG KEENAN
Monday, January 14, 2008 Page A1
AUTO INDUSTRY REPORTER
DETROIT — Two Chinese companies are planning to sell cars and trucks in Canada next year and promising rock-bottom prices in a move that will ratchet up the already fierce competition in the Canadian market.
Representatives of China America Cooperative Automotive Inc. (Chamco) and Geely Holdings Group said yesterday at the Detroit auto show that they plan to sell vehicles in Canada in 2009, with Chamco claiming an ambitious sales target of 15,000 vehicles.
A pickup truck and a sport-utility vehicle will be sold by Chamco at prices 20-per-cent lower than similar models now on the market, chief executive officer William Pollack said yesterday. Prices will start at the equivalent of about $13,500 (U.S.).
“Quality, style and price,” will enable the auto maker to meet those goals, Mr. Pollack said.
Chamco will sell vehicles manufactured by Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Co. Ltd., starting with operations in the United States, where tests to meet safety and other regulatory standards are under way.
Sales will begin in the United States this year and in Canada early next year, he said, disputing the notion that the cars might have trouble meeting rigid North American safety standards.
“They’re in 52 different countries,” Mr. Pollack said in an interview at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit where he was flanked by the pickup truck and sport-utility vehicle that he said will go on sale in Canada in early 2009.
“They’ve been road-tested in some of the most brutal climates on the planet.”
The company has already begun showing the vehicles to Canadian dealers but the cars can’t be brought into Canada until they meet Canadian standards.
Geely, meanwhile, is showing off its FC compact car and the TX4 model, which looks like a London taxi.
Chinese auto makers have their biggest presence yet at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. There are five Chinese companies showing vehicles here.
But other auto makers are also turning to China to supply North America.
Chrysler has signed a deal with Chery Motors to make a subcompact that also is expected to go on sale in Canada and the United States next year.
“Chery’s going to be a big play for us,” Chrysler president Tom LaSorda told reporters. The auto maker does not offer a subcompact now in Canada and the United States, which has hurt its sales in both countries because higher gas prices have sent Canadians and Americans scrambling to buy smaller cars.
Canadians are much more likely to see a Chinese-built car from Chrysler than they are to see Chinese companies selling their own vehicles in Canada, said industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ont.
A more realistic assessment of the Chinese companies’ prospects is that they are five years away from North American sales, Mr. DesRosiers said.
“They don’t have the fit, finish and quality that would pass muster for North America,” he said.
Canadians have reacted cautiously in recent years to new entries in the vehicle market. Japanese auto maker Mitsubishi is the most recent entrant and it has had trouble gaining more than 1 per cent of the Canadian market of about 1.6 million vehicles annually.
South Korea-based Kia Motors has had similar difficulties, although it outsells Mitsubishi.
Both companies have been hampered in part by the experience of Hyundai in Canada in the 1980s, which enjoyed a raging success in its first years here with the cheap Pony.
But the quality of the vehicles was spotty and Hyundai still struggles to some degree to overcome the perception that its cars aren’t as reliable as other long-established names in the market.
But Richard Cooper, executive director of the Canadian operations of consulting firm J. D. Power and Associates, said the Chinese auto makers should be taken seriously.
“There’ll be a healthy skepticism on the part of consumers at first, but I think [the companies] will work hard to change those perceptions,” Mr. Cooper said.
The car makers
Two years ago, a lone Geely Automobile Co. sedan marked the first time a Chinese auto maker had a display at the North American International Auto Show. This year, four Chinese auto makers and an importer have displays, and interest is increasing in cracking the lucrative U.S. market.
Consumer Concerns
In 2007, toys made with lead paint and tainted toothpaste fuelled distrust about the “Made in China” label. Companies that sell China-made cars in the U.S. will need to make sure their vehicles are well-built, and they must ease potential consumer worries.
The Outlook
Chinese companies and those working with them recognize the importance of getting it right when selling to U.S. drivers. Japanese and South Korean companies faced similar quality concerns in their early days in the U.S.
AP
Cheap and unattractive
Like a nation of high school head bangers, Canada appears to have an affinity for cheap cars with questionable looks. Over the years, some affordable compact cars have been bestsellers, as drivers went crazy for boxy, two-door, wood-panelled rides, while others models are perhaps best forgotten.
Yugo
The Yugoslavian brand was sold in the U.S. from 1985 to 1991, with a price tag beginning at $3,990. But, like other things that come cheap, the Yugo had something of a reputation problem. In the late 1980s, a Yugo driven by a young woman was blown off a Michigan bridge. In 2007, it was declared the second-ugliest car of all time, behind the Pacer, in a survey of car collectors. One collector described it as “a car that fell apart while you drove.”
Hyundai
A whole company built on the idea of affordable cars, Hyundai has created a surprise empire on the low-budget end of the automobile industry, along with its sister brand, Kia.
Skoda
Was it really a good idea to buy a car from a company that started off making bicycles? With models known as the “poor man’s Porsche,” this Czech brand was bought by Volkswagen in 1991 and underwent something of a transformation. But this ugly duckling of the automobile industry had a hard time shaking its past: One marketing campaign featured the tag line, “It is a Skoda, honest.”
Chevette
The best-selling small car in the U.S. in 1979 and 1980 is perhaps known for its Woody model, which featured simulated wood panelling. In 1986, GM announced it was dropping the price of the Chevette to $4,995 (U.S.), but soon ceased production. The car is now relegated to the wistful fantasies of aging band geeks.
Yaris
A Toyota brand launched in 1999 and known as Vitz in Japan, the Yaris built its popularity in Canada through a kitschy marketing campaign likening the car to a bizarre Eastern European man. The automotive equivalent of Borat is a popular choice with young car buyers.
Siri Agrell
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/freeheadlines/LAC/20080114/RCHINA14/national/National
Most Chinese automakers not ready for North America
Jan 14, 2008 02:14 PM
Tony Van Alphen
Business Reporter
DETROIT—More Chinese automakers are popping up at the North American International Auto Show but some of them agree it will take years before they can gain any presence in the market here.
Refuting earlier reports, Frank Xu, sales director for Geely International Corp., said Monday that the Chinese manufacturer has no plans to start selling autos here and in Canada next year.
“It’s too early for us,” Xu said in an interview. “It would be in three years at the earliest.”
Kingkaid Hu, a sales assistant at Byd Auto Co., said at his company’s display area that realistically it would be three to five years before his company would enter the North American market.
Analysts say most Chinese auto makers still need more time to reach quality, safety and styling demands of consumers here. Furthermore, analysts say the Chinese companies need to set up extensive dealer networks and expand their product lines.
One analyst said many Chinese automakers will also need to form partnerships with other industry players before they can make inroads.
However Li Jianxin, chairman of Changfeng Group, told reporters his company will enter the North American market next year with at least a few models despite no signs that a dealer network in forming.
http://www.thestar.com/article/293839
DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Chinese car firms hit brakes
Car companies reveal their high-powered vision for an energy-efficient future
Jan 15, 2008 04:30 AM
Tony Van Alphen
Business Reporter
DETROIT–More Chinese automakers are popping up here to show off their models, but some are tempering their enthusiasm and saying market realities mean it will take three or more years before they can start selling on this continent.
“It will be 2011 at the earliest before we sell in North America,” Frank Xu, sales director for Geely International Corp., said yesterday as his Shanghai-based company unveiled more cars at the North American International Auto Show.
“Right now, it’s too early. We’re being careful. We want to be prepared so the quality of our products is good enough.”
Earlier reports indicated Geely models would be on sale in Canada sometime next year. The company was the first Chinese automaker to appear at the show, with a single car in a modest exhibit off the main floor in 2006.
Kingkaid Hu, a sales assistant for the export trade department of Shenzhen-based Byd Auto Co. Ltd., also dampened any expectations of a quick entry into North America, including Canada.
“It will be three to five years,” he said at his company’s display at the show. “Maybe more.”
However, two other companies still think they will jump into the market next year.
State-owned Changfeng Group said last year it would enter the U.S. and Canadian markets in 2009 and is sticking to that time line. “We have confidence,” Changfeng chair Li Jianxian told reporters.
The company has developed a partnership with Japanese-based automaker Mitsubishi for technological expertise and other assistance. However, Jianxian offered no details on progress in establishing dealer networks in any regions.
Changfeng, whose symbol is a leaping tiger, unveiled the Liebao CS7 sport utility vehicle and Kylin multi-purpose model at the show.
DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR
(Changfeng Motor Company’s Liebro CS7 during it’s unveiling this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit MI. )
Chamco (China America Co-operative Automotive Inc.) has also disclosed plans to enter North America next year.
It wants to import cars from Zhongxing Automobile and says its models are already getting certification in Mexico.
Industry watchers say although several Chinese companies are showing progress, it won’t be easy to start retailing and make a dent in the U.S. and Canada, where competition is intense and consumers are demanding.
Chris Travell, vice-president at Maritz Automotive Research, said some of the Chinese companies are overly optimistic about the necessary work to set up a proper dealer infrastructure and receive various regulatory approvals from the federal government.
“You have to buy land, buildings; hire, train sales and service staff and that takes some time to do properly,” Travell noted. “It seems some of them are being a bit aggressive in how quickly they can accomplish those things.”
Chery Automobile reached a deal with Chrysler in 2006 to build small cars in China for the North American market. However Chrysler has not said when those cars will arrive here.
At the show, other Chinese companies with exhibits include Li Shi Guang Ming Automobile Design Co. and Li Shi Guang Ming Automobile Design Co., two custom car makers. The Chinese companies will display about 20 models, including a tiny egg shell-shaped car called Strip of Cloud for use at resorts.
http://www.thestar.com/article/294012
