China not coming to US anytime soon, but still on its way

Wasn't it just a short time ago that the United States did a full body shiver when Chinese auto makers noted that they would be pushing their low-cost cars to the States soon? Well, yes, that is correct, but with different issues such as safety and emissions statutes that all cars must have, the Chinese have fell short of this goal, and experts say that they are potentially still five years off.

Chery, the country's largest independent auto producer, has twice delayed its U.S. debut. Brilliance Auto, a smaller Chinese carmaker that sells sedans in Europe, and Geely, China's third-largest independent automaker, have postponed their U.S. push. All of the car makers have said that they are still poised to push cars into US showrooms by 2009 or 2010. But with all of the issues surrounding the cars, industry pros say there's virtually no way that will happen.

Because of bad publicity from the copycat lawsuits and safety concerns, Chinese officials have tightened safety regulations and pressured carmakers to move beyond cheap knockoffs to original designs. China's leading auto executives no longer boast about competing on pricing alone.

It's a good thing that there are emissions and safety requirements to basically deter models being exported here that will be able to sell for dirt cheap. If the Chinese can get it right, it will certainly be good for consumers globally as the competition will continue to make cars affordable. IF being the operative word.

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China not coming to US anytime soon, but still on its way

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