China's carmakers plan great leap forward in US

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

DETROIT, United States (AFP) — China's Changfeng auto group said it plans to start selling its sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks in the world's biggest car market within two years. But Changfeng Group chairman Li Jianxin, making his debut at the Detroit auto show, acknowledged that the state-owned firm has yet to forge any all-important ties with US distributors and dealers.

In the meantime, DaimlerChrysler's US arm is joining forces with China's Chery Automotive Co. to build small cars in China that could be sold in the United States and around the world within two years. And ZX Auto hopes to become the first Chinese carmaker to enter the United States, from mid-2008, according to the company's US importer, Chamco Auto. Li insisted that Changfeng's vehicles...