- Inflatable Seat Belts Aimed At Second Row Safety
- Do You Buy Marchionne's Turnaround Plan?
- October Shows Auto Rebound Will Be Slow
- How Mulally Got Ford Back in The Black
- Green Car Incentives Are Just Starting To Roll
- GM Touts Progress, Serves Up Details on Latest Refunds
- Why Ford Is Winning With Reliability
- Can Hybrid Luxury Automaker Thrive With Old GM Plant?
- Toyota And Honda Take Cautious Approach With Electric Cars
- The Ugly Truth: GM and Chrysler Were In Worse Shape Than Many Thought
MOST SHARED
- US Becomes Top Country Brand Under Obama: Survey
- Solar Market Heating Back Up?
- Sweeping Health Care Overhaul Bill Passes House
- Realty Execs See Pain Ahead
- Easy Money & Stocks
- Administration Rejects Plan to Buy Fannie Mae Credits
- Want the Homebuyer's Tax Credit? Here Are Some Tips
- Tommy Lee Looks to Rock On-Line
- Food Network, HGTV Drive Scripps Networks' Upside Surprise
- Tommy Lee, Medical Tourism and Nasty Santa, Your Emails
- U.S. Markets Gain 3% for the Week Despite 10.2% Unemployment
- Disney's 'Carol' Tests Widest 3-D Release Ever
- Stimulus II? Jobs Tax Credit=Cash For Clunkers
- Rockwell Automation Earnings: What Options Are Saying
- Gold Will Touch Higher Lows and Higher Highs: Analyst
- Is Misery Alive And Well in Your Office?
- Consumers Haven't Changed, They Are Just Pickier
- For the Jobless, 10% is Harder Than Before
- Week Ahead: Stocks Search for Catalyst in Quiet Week
- Outlook: Dollar Likely to Ride Higher on Bleak Jobs Report
- Geithner: More Stimulus, Not a Bank Tax
- Windfall is Seen as Bank Bonuses are Paid in Stock
- Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Says Net Income Tripled
- Cramer: Earnings, IPOs Dominate Next Week
- Buying Fear: How to Own Volatility
- Administration Rejects Plan to Buy Fannie Mae Credits
RSS FEED
Behind The Wheel
There's a new video on the web that's sure to entertain skeptics of the Chinese auto industry. It's video of a car from China's Chery Automobile faring poorly in a crash test in Russia. For those who fear the Chinese auto industry hurting the Big 3, this video will give them the ammunition they need to take shots at the Chinese.
But as you watch this video or read about how poorly the car in the test performed, keep in mind we are still a long, long was from seeing Chinese made cars in the U.S. In other words, don't worry.
First of all, the Chinese automakers do not have their models up to the safety standards required in Western Europe and the U.S. This has been pointed out for years, and yet, I'm often stopped by people in Detroit who ask me, "How long until we see Chinese cars on American streets?" Folks, it's not happening anytime soon.
Second, We are a ways from seeing Big 3 branded cars that were built in China actually show up in U.S. Showrooms. Yes, Chrysler is partnering with Chery automobile to build subcompact cars that will ultimately be badge as Dodges or Chryslers and sold in the U.S. But that deal has just been signed, and Chrysler will go to great lengths, to ensure those cars meet U.S. Standards.
Finally, as fast as the Chinese automakers are moving to hire the talent and acquire the knowledge needed to be world class competitors, they still lack the sophistication to compete in the U.S. That means you can take a big grain of salt when someone says Chinese cars will be here soon.
Do I think we will ultimately see Chinese made cars on U.S. streets? You bet. In a few years China will be the largest auto market in the world and it's only a matter of time until either an established automaker or a Chinese automaker sells a car here that was built there. But, when that happens, you can bet the car will meet our safety standards.
Questions? Comments?








