Chinese automakers start selling cars in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

Chinese automakers start selling cars in Venezuela

Jul. 26, 2006, (China Knowledge) – Two Chinese automobile companies have begun selling cars in Venezuela, according to a Dow Jones Newswire report.

China’s Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., the largest automobile company in China, and Cinascar, a Chinese automaker owned by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., have set up car showrooms across the country to compete with the local automobile makers.

"We just started, but we sold 300 vehicles last month," said Karen Frances, head of sales for Cinascar's main distribution center. The company began selling vehicles in Venezuela in March this year and currently has 17 car showrooms in the country.

Cinascar is presently selling vehicles from six Chinese carmakers. The QQ compact car, a budget car model produced by Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., is the most popular accounting for 50% of the total cars sold. The company receives a tax exemption for all family cars sold.
(snip/...)

http://www.chinaknowledge.com/news/news-detail.aspx?id=3794

[Ezlivin]

1. But Chinese cars are damned small!

[kurth]

2. They need to make better brake pads first

and quit using sawdust.

[Ezlivin]

3. And install floorboards

You can see the driver's feet!

[NotGivingUp]

4. Cute!

[B3Nut]

5. Don't laugh...

they're climbing up the learning curve rather quickly. They'll have the quality levels up more rapidly than the Koreans did between when they first entered the US market up to now. Interesting that one of the players in the Chinese auto industry is GM Daewoo based in S. Korea, which owns Chinese automaker Cinascar which is one of the firms selling cars in Venezuela. Who wants to bet that someday that company's output will show up here with a Chevy badge? GM Daewoo's output from Korea does already, the Chevy Aveo (nee Daewoo Kalos). Only a matter of time (if the US economy doesn't go completely bust from Bushco's treasonous mishandling first).

Can we say "Outsourcing", boys and girls? Good! I knew you could.

Todd in Beerbratistan

[nealmhughes]

6. I had no idea that Venezuela even made cars. I know Brazil makes a lot,

and probably Argentina, and of course, Mexico, but I didn't know anywhere in Central America did other than small parts...

[Judi Lynn]

7. China expands car sales

Posted on Tue, Jul. 25, 2006
VENEZUELA
China expands car sales
BY RAUL GALLEGOS
Dow Jones Newswires

CARACAS - Chinese automobile manufacturers are seeking a share of Venezuela's car market, which has grown with the help of an oil-fueled consumption boom.

President Hugo Chávez has long been trying to foster greater economic ties with the Asian giant. On top of greater energy and mining sector cooperation, Chávez has also pursued Chinese development of a computer assembly line in the Andean nation.

Two Chinese car dealers have recently set up showrooms across Venezuela to try to compete with more established brands.

Great Wall Motors, China's largest car maker, is offering large utility vehicles.
(snip)

U.S. car manufacturers including GM and Ford assemble vehicles in Venezuela and make up the bulk of the vehicles sold every month.
(snip/)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/international/latin_america/15113527.htm