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.”

Only time will tell if BYD’s U.S. plans end in fruition or failure.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: New York Times

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Gambar, Spesifikasi Chery A11 Atau Windcloud

The Chery A11, also known as Chery Windcloud, is Chery Automobile's first car. Production began in 1999 based on the SEAT Toledo chassis. Production ended in 2006.Chinese Chery's range of cars are hilariously named, and looking at them will give you a feeling that you've seen them before, even if you've never heard of Chery. We have no experience with these cars either, so we'll just take stuff out of the brochure. We start off with the A11, also known as the Wind Cloud, and a car that looks remarkably like the Seat Toledo that was discontinued last decade.

The company promises an elegant driving experience thanks to a Ford 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine, a Siemens ABS braking system, two airbags from a company called American Breed, Webster electric sunroof and French Valeo air-conditioning. In short, it is an ideal model of outsourcing, except that other companies don't exactly brag about it. There is only a manual gearbox, while standard features thankfully include power windows, central locking, radio cassette player and a spare tyre. Options available on the top luxury model include a CD changer, leather upholstery, sunroof, imitation wood trim and a rear armrest. At least they are upfront about the fake wood, unlike Toyota.

Spesification

Manufacturer Chery Automobile
Also called Chery A11

Chery Fengyun
Chery Fulwin
Production 1999-2006
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
Engine(s) 1.6L ACTECO SQR480
1.6L Tritec
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
Related Chery A15
Seat Toledo