Chinese Cars Ten Years Away From U.S. Market

Washington DC February 11, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that despite the buzz surrounding Chinese cars that everyone says will be heading for the U.S., don't expect delivery for another 10 years.

Congress Daily reports that while the Chinese have their sights set on invading the U.S. market, and are doing well building an auto industry, they're still years away from producing a car that can hold its own in America.

In recent years, China has become the world's second-largest auto market and the third-largest vehicle producer after the U.S. and Japan. Its auto exports doubled in 2006 to a record 340,000 units, and some Chinese automakers have begun showing their wares at U.S. auto shows, hoping to begin marketing cars here as early as 2008.

However, veteran auto analysts say China's best auto exports today are not likely to break into the U.S. market any time soon. The engineering and styling doesn't approach U.S. standards and while they sell well at home, Chinese cars aren't ready for prime time in America.

In 15 years or so there is little doubt that China will capture a respectable slice of the U.S. market, but for now, the biggest potential opportunity for Chinese auto exports may be in developing countries where the competition isn't as fierce and consumers' expectations aren't that high.