What will it take for the Chinese cars to be successful in the US? [Archive] - China Car Forums

: What will it take for the Chinese cars to be successful in the US?


BringIt
04-12-2006, 05:00 PM
I'm new to this forum. I love cars and being a Chinese-American, I have a soft spot for anything Chinese. I'm even toying with the idea of opening a car dealer if and when a Chinese car company reaches our shores.

Anywho, I want to get some ideas on what would make Chinese cars successful in the US - arguably one of the toughest market in the world.

Here's what I think - and you guys can add to it:

- Cars MUST be well designed, well put together, and last a long time. No need to be industry leading, but must, at a minimum, be average. (Think Ford and Hyundai). To come into this market and rank at the bottom is disasterous, but to be industry leading is unrealistic, so shoot for average is the best bet.

- Cars must be cheap to run, maintain, and replace (parts). Use as much as possible, parts that are already available in autopart stores - belts, hoses, nuts, bolts, bulbs, fuses, shocks, brakes, gaskets, seals, etc. etc. The easier to find parts, the more likely people will buy the car.

- Must come with long warranties. Matches or bests anything others offer. Jack up the sticker price if needed, but these super long warranties does magic to ease people's fears of trying out a brand new line of un-proven cars. Heck, throw in free maintenance for 5 years too. Why the heck not? Imagine the customer satisfaction ratings - and repeat customers for future services and sales.

- The sticker price only need to be slightly lower than the next lowest competitor. Being lower is key, but not much lower. Put more money into warranties and free services such as 24hr road-side and oil change; heck, free car washes for the first year.

- Market smartly. Target the import buying crowd. Target the immigrant crowd. Target the mid to low income crowd. I would market heavily in Chinese and Spanish newspapers, and East and West coasts. Go after the "domestic" buying crowd later.

- More on marketing - a positive image must be clearly delivered. Whether it be cool and hip, smart and intelligent, or all of the above.

- Be ready to provide great service for recalls and warranty repairs. Give free car rentals, free car washes, free oil changes, or whatever other freebies when the customer is inconvenienced.

Admin
04-12-2006, 05:09 PM
Currently the 2 main factors entrepreneurs are basing their hope that chinese cars will do well here are,
1.Very cheap prices compared to the competition
2. Something new to the industy (the hype around chinese cars)

obviously for success, there should be more factors analyzed...but im just stating what the main points are

BringIt
04-12-2006, 06:15 PM
I agree. But if that is the only 2 things going for the Chinese cars, then Chinese cars shouldn't bother entering this market.

The average American consumer is too smart to pay for something cheap up front, knowing the repair costs and the inconveniences they'll face later on down the road.

Look at the Japanese car makers, esp Honda and Toyota. They are easily more expensive than the competition yet they keep growing and increasing their market share. Why? Because consumers are willing to pay more for the quality, longevity, and high resale value up front.

Take a look at the other 2nd tier Japanese car makers and the Big 3. Their cars are cheaper, but the lack of quality (real or not) hurts their sales.

Also look at Hyundai and Kia. It was not until they got their product up to speed (nice designs and better quality, along with the long warranty) that they start to grow in market share. They always had the lowest prices, but that along didn't get them very far.

The Chinese car makers have the chance to do it right, right out of the gate. A bad start will take years to repair the damaged image. Have as many corners covered, the better off it will be. If anything, don't bring crappy cars here! Even if the cars had to be sold at the same prices as the competition.

Admin
04-12-2006, 06:31 PM
At the beginning this will be their strategy, but strategies evolve

Look at Hyundai and how it first came with the Excel, Look how much they have improved, i think they will have to enter the market first and then adjust to it, because you are right , the US is a totally different market than the Asian/Eastern Europe market.

But also when you are going after the market of customers that are buying their first automobile and wouldnt have the opportunity otherwise if it wasnt for chinese cars, then it really doesnt make a difference to them, other than the price...

Used car market is very big in north america, and many low income markets spend a few thousand on 1990 civic's which will break down in a few months and fail all tests..those ppl just want a car

edge
04-12-2006, 06:55 PM
I think those criteria you've mentioned are quite on the point. I think that Chinese cars will eventually make it in America, but not everyone. There are already some Chinese carmakers who can meet the criteria you set forth, and there are some who are planning to export that just haven't quite got it yet.

I think the ones who already have what it takes are SAIC and FAW. They already have large manufacturing bases, high technology and the resources to build world class car companies.

The ones that I think will first stumble but eventually become big are Chery, and possibly a few other independent ones such as Great Wall.

The ones I see coming to the US trying to just dump tacky, pieces of crap ala the Yugo and Hyundai Excel is Geely and a few other small companies.

So I think the gap between the Chinese companies are pretty big, it really depends on which one you're talking about.

Real_I_Hate_China
04-12-2006, 07:58 PM
- Cars MUST be well designed, well put together, and last a long time.
That doesn't come cheap.

To come into this market and rank at the bottom is disasterous, but to be industry leading is unrealistic, so shoot for average is the best bet.

- Cars must be cheap to run, maintain, and replace (parts).
The cheapest way to run, maintain and replace is simply not break down for the first 8 years like Toyota and Honda does.

- Must come with long warranties. Matches or bests anything others offer.
Long warranty can be a financial killer if the car is crappy.

Heck, throw in free maintenance for 5 years too. Why the heck not?
Too expensive even for the likes of Audi.

Imagine the customer satisfaction ratings - and repeat customers for future services and sales.
To make customers satisfied, you must first make dealers satisfied, by offering 15% margins and fat profits on services. Again, that costs money.

And customers are not satisfied if the car they drive is crappy.

The sticker price only need to be slightly lower than the next lowest competitor.
Actually it works better if you offer more for the same money.

Market smartly. Target the import buying crowd.
Import buyers are among the most brand royal customer groups.

- More on marketing - a positive image must be clearly delivered. Whether it be cool and hip, smart and intelligent, or all of the above.
Again, more money.

China is not exactly a cheap place to put together a car due to its lack of an auto parts industry.

I agree. But if that is the only 2 things going for the Chinese cars, then Chinese cars shouldn't bother entering this market.
So you have already figured this all out.

The Chinese car makers have the chance to do it right, right out of the gate. A bad start will take years to repair the damaged image. Have as many corners covered, the better off it will be. If anything, don't bring crappy cars here! Even if the cars had to be sold at the same prices as the competition.
Well then, Chinese should stay home for the next decade.

I think the ones who already have what it takes are SAIC and FAW. They already have large manufacturing bases, high technology and the resources to build world class car companies.
But not for the next 10 years.

Admin
04-12-2006, 08:05 PM
Even though i dont agree with many of your posts - REAL_I_HATE_CHINA,

I do have to give it to you, you really analyze the arguments :thumb:

Its good to have PRO chinese auto posts and ANTI chinese auto posts

so far you are the only Anti-chinese auto poster...

i guess after some time , more will come..

Real_I_Hate_China
04-12-2006, 08:35 PM
My arguement is rather simple.

Stay home until these Chinese cars are finally able to go head to head with Accord, Camry, and Sonata sold in China. Then think about entering foreign markets.

hazik
04-12-2006, 10:49 PM
For some reason when Chinese cars first get to north america. I think a lot of black people will buy them first. I remember in the 1980's and 1990's not many people were buying hyundai's. But I saw a lot of black people driving hyundais. Black people will buy the car with the lowest sticker price and not worry about reliability, residual value, and others. They just want the most value for their buck at the sticker price.

Admin
04-12-2006, 10:55 PM
My arguement is rather simple.

Stay home until these Chinese cars are finally able to go head to head with Accord, Camry, and Sonata sold in China. Then think about entering foreign markets.

but competition drives this kind of reliability, standard. When they come here, they will be on their toes 1-2 years, but after that they will adjust with the competitions standard and pick up their standard

They need to come to the US first, then they will raise to the next level

hazik
04-13-2006, 01:21 AM
My arguement is rather simple.

Stay home until these Chinese cars are finally able to go head to head with Accord, Camry, and Sonata sold in China. Then think about entering foreign markets.

camry and sonata aren't that popular in China. Chery flagcloud and some Geely compacts outsell camry and sonata.

BringIt
04-13-2006, 12:05 PM
RIHC,

Some of your comments makes perfect sense, some don't.

Yes it costs money to bring better designs, offer long warranties, even free maintenace. But it's money well spent to get the consumers to "want" the product. People buy well designed Toyota and Honda's because they want to, not because they have to (due to financial situations).

Any new car that breaks down under normal use and proper maintenance in the first 8 years is simply unacceptable. So that's a prerequisite to enter this market. (Even more reason to offer free maintenance - to monitor the wear and tear of the cars and to properly maintain them so they don't break down! It's a win win.) So the car can not be crappy. That's a given.

Maintenance is really not that expensive, especially in the first 50K miles. You got oil changes, and 15K, 30K, and 45K maintenance. It may cost a consumer $1,000, but the real cost for the dealer/car company is only $700. Not a big deal. (Especially given the prerequisite that the cars are not pieces of crap.)

Offer the same amenities for less or more for the same price - it's in the same line of thinking.

Wrong, "domestic" buyers are the most loyal. Import buyers jumps around between import brands all the time.

Chinese cars are not ready now. They can't yet fit the criteria I listed. But it won't take 10 years. I give it less than 4.

Admin
04-13-2006, 02:22 PM
i think chinese cars can be ready in 2 years, not 4, and that is what most manufacturers have said they will be ready for US market in 2007-2008

Real_I_Hate_China
04-14-2006, 12:25 AM
Any new car that breaks down under normal use and proper maintenance in the first 8 years is simply unacceptable.
Most Chinese cars don't last 8 years.

Maintenance is really not that expensive, especially in the first 50K miles. You got oil changes, and 15K, 30K, and 45K maintenance. It may cost a consumer $1,000, but the real cost for the dealer/car company is only $700. Not a big deal. (Especially given the prerequisite that the cars are not pieces of crap.)
Even $700 is a lot for a $7500 Geely.

Wrong, "domestic" buyers are the most loyal. Import buyers jumps around between import brands all the time.
Based on repeat buys, import buyers are more royal.

BringIt
04-14-2006, 09:49 PM
That's what I'm saying. If the Chinese cars can't become "average" or better, don't bother coming just yet.

Add $700 to $7500 becomes $8200. Still a super low-priced car. But now you have free maintenance for 5 years!!!

Import buyers are loyal to "imports" in general, not to a particular brand. They go from one import brand to another quite often.

jmsteiny
04-14-2006, 10:58 PM
Bringit's comments are absolutely spot on right when it comes to chinese cars being successful in the USA.........a average car (no need to try and out-do Honda or Toyota) that offers a great warranty at a low price. Marketing is also important, and the chinese car companies that venture into the US market MUST be smart about who they aim their marketing campaign at!

A couple of things to consider when comparing the entrance of the chinese car companies to the US market with Hyundai and Yugo........first of all, Yugo WAS a piece of garbage. It was originally designed in eastern Europe, and in the 1980's any car coming from there was absolutely terrible (remember the east German Trabant???? It was a nightmare of a car....) Yugo did NOT have a effective marketing campaign, getting it repaired was a real challenge (lack of parts availability) and it was downright dangerous (a very high center of gravity and a real lack of power). Hyundai, on the other hand was a MUCH better car in comparison. I actually bought a new 1988 Hyundai Excel..........marginal power (but acceptable if you used the transmission properly), fairly reliable (I had no problems at all during the time that I owned it), great on gas mileage and a relatively comfortable car for what it was. Hyundai also marketed the car very well (in fact Hyundai set a sales record for the Excel in 1986.....over 250,000 Excels were sold that year) and also worked hard to have parts available when needed for repairs. Granted, the Excel had a very poor resale value and after 5-7 years it was pretty much ready to throw away..........but for a car that started at $4999 in US dollars, what can you expect? The main thing is..........Hyundai managed to establish itself in the US market because of the Excel and was able to hang on throughout the 1990's until their quality improved enough to market a seriously good car. Today's Hyundais are competitive with the japanese cars, offer better warrantys (the best in the business) and Hyundai is becoming a serious worldwide player in the car market........all this in just 20 years since entering the US market.

Can the chinese cars match this? Doubtful - the car market today is MUCH different than 20 years ago. However, they DO have the capability of marketing a car that won't be laughed at (today's manufacturing technology is vastly improved from 20 years ago) and will be reliable enough - not great but enough. Whichever company (or companies - FAW, SAIC, Chery, Geely, etc..) starts to sell their cars in the US will HAVE to have great aftermarket service and parts readily available when needed. Also remember........with gas prices going up, up and up the gas guzzling cars (i.e most american SUV's and large cars) are going to drop in sales volume........and most of the chinese cars coming to the US will be of the "small engine" variety - 2.0 liters in size or smaller. The chinese cars will be in a great position to take advantage of rising gas prices - much like the japanese cars took advantage of the oil embargos of the 1970's in the US. The chinese cars won't take over the market like the japanese did 30 years ago - but they WILL establish themselves and be able to hang on.

hazik
04-15-2006, 12:26 AM
Hyundai Excel only costs $4,999 in 1986, Chery QQ costs about the same in China today. What was the second lowest price car in 1986, Geo Metro?

Real_I_Hate_China
04-15-2006, 12:45 AM
When Toyota entered the US market, its rivals were GM, Ford, and Chrysler's gas guzzling dinosaurs with crap build quality, so it was easy for Toyora to take a root in the US.

When Hyundai entered the US marekt, its rivals were 2nd tier Japanese brands which were not better than Excel except for reliability, so Hyundai was able to take a root in the US after burning tens of billions in cash.

When Chery enters the US market, its rivals will be Toyota and Honda subcompacts offering much higher quality and engineering at 10% premium. Furthermore, the emissions and crash testing regulations would have toughened to the point it is difficult for newcomers to meet.

In other word, the market for inexpensive and poor quality cars has closed.

BringIt
04-18-2006, 09:07 AM
The market for poor quality cars has closed. Not so for low priced cars - lower prices never goes out of fashion my friend, never.

So, again, whether it's Chinese or Indian or Brazilian, the formula for success is average or above quality and design, low price, long warranty, good marketing, and other freebies such as free maintenance and road side assistance.

Now, that's just to get in the market and establish a foothold. Further down the road, superior design and engineering, and a sterling reputation will be needed to expand.

Vitesse
04-19-2006, 01:39 PM
Toyota took a beating when it introduced cars here in 1958. The Toyopet was soon withdrawn because it was not a quality car. In fact the cars which really established a beach-head for the Japanese makers were Renault, MG, Hillman, Volkswagen, and Fiat. It was these companies which first introduced small cars successfully in the United States - although detroit had tried earlier with the Henry J, the Hudson Jet, and the American Bantam.

Japanese cars in the fifties and sixties were usually licensed copies of European or English designs. Hinos were Renaults, Isuzus were Hillmans, Datsuns were Austins - eventually the home-grown Japanese cars were created out of these license-built copies.

We see the same thing happening in China now, where home-grown cars are begining to supplant modified Diahatsus, Citroëns, Suzukis, and Jeeps.

But in the 1960's there was a great deal of trouble with those other imports. They were often complicated and had poor dealer networks and expensive service. To this day people think Fiats are expensive to service when it's anything but true. I own an old Fiat and it's cheaper to run than all of my other cars save one - a mk1 VW Golf diesel.

Industrial problems and labor unrest in France, England, and Italy led to poor quality cars, not to mention Italy and France tending to buy low-grade steel from the USSR which resulted in horrible rust problems on cars like AlfaSuds, Fiat 127's, and Renault R12's.

In the meantime the Japanese production system figured out how to make those Euro-influenced designs with streamlined precision while workers bickered endlessly in France and Italy's political arenas.

It was no surprise, therefore, that Japanese cars became successful in the 1970's when American turned to smaller cars in droves. But they also turned, at first, to those European imports. Fiat was, at one point, the fastest-growing import brand in the US during the 1970's - briefly outpacing Toyota and Datsun in 1973-1974.

While the cars held together well, they still had lots of problems. For one thing, Japan was way behind the curve in adopting modern small-car construction. Other than Honda, it took until the 80's for transverse-engined, FWD Japanese cars to become common in the US market. They also had collosal rust issues - just as bad as the Italians and the French in many ways. Ever seen an old Datsun 200SX mk1? Probably not - because all but a handful rusted away decades ago.

What does all this mean for Chinese cars in the USA, you ask?

Well, not much. The market has changed so radically since the 1970's that the rules that once applied to the up-and-coming Japanese and European brands are no longer exactly true. Nor can you rely solely on a low price and a reworked old-design to buy you sales in the US - Yugo learned that lesson the hard way.

If Chinese cars are to succeed in the US, then they need a few key things:

1. The perception of the public will be deeply effected by poor quality or by excellent quality. If the cars are well made, the public will instantly accept them. If they're poorly made, they'll be outcasts for years and years - only now, 20 years later, is Hyundai coming out of the funk it got in after the failure of the Excel in the 80's.

2. The products must be original. You cannot sell an old Daihatsu here (as Geely proposes) and expect it to work. Americans ignored the Daihatsu Charade when it was offered here in the 1980's and now that it's 20 years old they're going to be even less amicable towards it. The cars must be brand new and well executed original designs.

3. You can't sell on price alone. Because of the proliferation of off-lease, off-fleet cars on the Used car market, you can get alot more out of a two-year old Chevy than you can out of a brand new Geely. For that reason there has to be a reason other than price to buy a Chinese car. Styling, innovation, economy, and comfort all help sell cars. Build something that exemplifies these qualities and the public will bite. But there has to be more than just a low price.

Real_I_Hate_China
04-19-2006, 01:51 PM
For that reason there has to be a reason other than price to buy a Chinese car. Styling, innovation, economy, and comfort all help sell cars. Build something that exemplifies these qualities and the public will bite. But there has to be more than just a low price.
But Chinese posters, and executives alike, do not undertsand this concept of "value" very well. Chinese market is very price driven, where price wins over quality. Chinese executives actually think that their cars will actually sell in the US if they price their cars 30% cheaper than Japanese, regardless of quality and safety.

BringIt
04-19-2006, 04:08 PM
Malcolm Bricklin fully understands that. That's why he's bringing over fully loaded, freshly engineered and designed cars to the US, AND at 30% off the competition.

If Chery can get the quality and durability right, WATCH OUT.

BringIt
04-26-2006, 12:53 PM
Another thought about this topic:

Chinese auto makers should mimic Honda instead of Toyota at first. Concentrate on a few good vehicle in huge market segments. I say introduce the following at first:

- A legitimate mid-size family sedan, with all the best features of the Camry, Accord, and Hyundai.

- A legitimate mid-size car-based SUV (aka cross-over), with all the best features of Highlander, Pilot, and up-and-coming Saturn Outlook.

All that along with the best warranty and maintenance programs, and at 20% less, is sure to sell well - easily 150,000 in the first year given the huge market share of these 2 car segments.

And may I also add, the margin in these segments is much better than in the compact/cheap cars segments. After all, making money is a high priority, eh?

gr8
04-26-2006, 11:57 PM
Chery's are going to rock in North America, Chery is not going for ultimate cheepness like the QQ but going with the trend of "Redefining the price of luxury", with AWD, V8, V6, inline 4 turbo, awsome interior, front and curtain air bags, and five star crash test taking market share not from the people who buy bmw of benz but people who have the money to buy a toyota, nissan,or honda who wish to own a bmw/benz like vehical. And now with the aging population increasing, old people people born after wwII would like to have bmw/benz vehicals. but these people never been at the war therefore never seen tough times, therefore spend majority of there money already. so whats there only option? Chery

Real_I_Hate_China
04-27-2006, 12:56 AM
Malcolm Bricklin fully understands that. That's why he's bringing over fully loaded, freshly engineered and designed cars to the US, AND at 30% off the competition.
That is if you buy Malcolm's arguement that the competition of Cherys riding on a 23 year old chassis are brand new Mercedeses and BMWs.

If Chery can get the quality and durability right, WATCH OUT.
Chery can't even beat the quality of a poor-quality car they replicated(QQ has a 30% higher defect rate than Chinese market Matiz), so don't expect Cherys to last more than 6 years.

Chinese auto makers should mimic Honda instead of Toyota at first
Honda is one of a kind; I never heard of anybody else winning an F1 season right after entering car manufacturing biz, but enginnering crazed Honda did. Impossible to emulate.

Chery's are going to rock in North America, Chery is not going for ultimate cheepness like the QQ
A bold statement since Chery is the QQ company.

gr8
04-27-2006, 01:16 AM
yo real_i_hate_china have you ever visit the vvcars website, if you know so much about chinese cars how do you not know that the QQ is not going to arrive in north america? spend like 10min of your life on the vvcars site

SoCal
05-03-2006, 03:30 AM
I'm not sure about Chery taking on BMW and Lexus. Hyundai has yet to do that. But it does sound exciting. At least they are aiming high. All has to wait until we see the actual products to judge them. I am excited though. I wonder when I can see and touch the actual cars.

Vitesse
05-03-2006, 11:18 AM
Honda is one of a kind; I never heard of anybody else winning an F1 season right after entering car manufacturing biz, but enginnering crazed Honda did. Impossible to emulate.

So....Honda won an F1 championship in 1962? I think not. They did win a race - the 1965 GP of Mexico with John Surtees driving - but not an F1 season. In fact, Honda has never won an F1 championship, either in driving or construction.

They did supply engines to championship winners in the 80's, but that's not really the same thing, is it?

Malcolm Bricklin fully understands that.

In my experience, it's best not to speculate on whether or not Malcolm Bricklin understand anything at all. Bricklin has a horrible track record of failed automobile ventures - he's considered one step above the kiss of death for an automakers importing ventures.

gr8
05-03-2006, 08:05 PM
well ppl just think, although malcom bricklin had failed in the yugo cars, he has another team to people behind him. a team of people who have been in the car buisness for years, and had lots of education. i dont think there is anyway any of you could be smarter than their whole team of people who have been to Wuhu, saw chery's cars, set up the AVL engins, and italian designs. and btw bricklin bringing the subaru over with AWD was a great success, and this is going to be the same for chery.

DOS
05-17-2006, 06:57 PM
If Chinese manufactures really want to succeed in the United States they must produce a car that can perform as well as European Vehicles, while having at least the same reliability as Japanese vehicles, while still undercutting the Koreans in price, while still offering at least a 10 year, with a guaranteed buy back price. After producing this wonder car they must dominate in a comparison test, against the industry benchmark, conducted by the most respected automotive journalist before the first models land on American shores. In order to have any hopes of survival, the Chinese company, fully backed by the Chinese government, must have every eligible person of Chinese decent to buy at least one vehicle every two years before the company can make enough money for its semi profitable second generation. Overtime the manufactures will prove that there models can compete within the competitive American market, and be considered equal to the entrenched auto manufactures.

As long as local governments are funding the production of cheap nock offs to benefit themselves, more stringent copyright laws cannot be passed. So as a result a strong domestic industry cannot develop, out of fear that there own products would also be copied. In order to become better competitors on the world stage, Chinese manufactures first must seize control over the domestic market, expanding their consumer base, allowing copyright laws to become more stringent, further encouraging domestic engineers to make there own products. Then they must consolidate China’s resources, turning the mob of more than 200 small companies into a few powerful conglomerates. Finally they must dispose of the communist burocratic nonsense, in which the leaders look after there own welfare rather than the welfare of the economy. In reality, the fastest way to cause these changes to occur, would be to force manufactures into a situation in which the only way they could survive would be working together. One of these situations would be a crash course in U.S. market, in which the strong shall live and the weak will die, serving as food for the strong.

Real_I_Hate_China
05-19-2006, 01:00 AM
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/news/hyundai-azera-and-lincoln-navigator-are-tops-in-owner-satisfaction/1879/

Lexus Once Again Reigns Supreme for Brand Satisfaction

Wouldnt it be nice to know what cars are most satisfying to their owners before you buy? Automotive consultant group AutoPacific has compiled such information in its 2006 model year vehicle satisfaction survey, and the results might surprise those who havent driven the winners.

Dont adjust your modum, because Hyundais Azera was the overall winner amongst cars achieving "Best Car" credentials, while Lincolns Navigator earned "Best Truck" kudos. It comes as no surprise, however, that Toyotas luxury division, Lexus once again walked away as the most satisfying brand.

Other notable segment winners include Cadillacs CTS as the most satisfying in the "Entry Luxury Car" segment, beating out such stalwarts as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4, and Nissan Titan overshadowing the Ford F-150 in the "Large Light-Duty Pickup" category.

Special mention should also be made of Mitsubishi for taking the "Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility" segment with its agile Endeavor, one of the best kept secrets on the crossover-SUV market, and Hyundai for winning over its Santa Fe owners, who will no doubt be lining up for the all-new 2007 model when it arrives this summer. Interestingly, not a single Toyota brand car or truck made the list, nor did BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi, brands that normally rank high for owner retention.

Also of note, Honda was number one for the amount of segment winners, taking three top owner satisfaction spots, with Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Nissan achieving two vehicles apiece in the study.

Looking at automakers (manufacturer umbrella companies), GM surprises with three top-rated models, matching Honda which also had the Acura RSX join its three Honda branded winners in top segment placement.

The organizations Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) denotes a segment winner by assigning numeric values to the satisfaction ratings of owners it has surveyed in 44 areas related to a vehicles ownership experience.

Complete List of Segment Winners:

Brand: Lexus

Passenger Cars:

Premium Luxury Car - Lexus LS
Entry Luxury Car - Cadillac CTS
Luxury/Large Car - Hyundai Azera
Premium Mid-Size Car - Volkswagen Passat
Mid-Size Car - Mercury Milan
Image Compact Car - MINI Cooper
Compact Car - Honda Civic
Sports Car - Chevrolet Corvette
Sporty Car - Acura RSX

Light Trucks:

Large Light-Duty Pickup - Nissan Titan
Large Heavy-Duty Pickup - Chevrolet Silverado HD
Sport Utility Truck - Honda Ridgeline
Compact Pickup - Mitsubishi Raider
Luxury Sport Utility - Lincoln Navigator
Large Sport Utility - Nissan Armada
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility - Mitsubishi Endeavor
Mid-Size Sport Utility - Hyundai Santa Fe
Compact Sport Utility - Suzuki Grand Vitara
Minivan - Honda Odyssey
So the most customer satisfying car is a Hyundai while the most customer satisfying SUV is a Lincoln?

Chinese dream of overtaking Hyundai has been made that much more difficult, they now have to overtake Toyota and Honda before making a challenge at Hyundai.

Shults
05-29-2006, 11:07 AM
I’m selling Chery in Eastern Europe.
So it’s very interesting for me see your opinion about promotion Chery in the USA.

If we look at the amount of selling cars in China, now they have a real deficit of cars in national market. So they have deficit export cars.
Plans about entering to Europe or the USA market is more long-term plan. Now the China car market is one of the fast-growing the World. (and at lest 5-6 years it will be).

So Chery has 2 ways а building its strategy:

1.VV produces cars in the USA and selling them mostly in South America and Canada. Label produces in the USA it means a lot of, especially for other market.

2. Chery will focuse on the USA market. But it can be at least in 3 years.

Why? to run new concept car (M14 and cross-over) need time. And making it only for foreign markets isn’t interesting for the Company.
Why should Chery invest money to its new models? If it’s no problem with selling Flagcloud, Oriental Son in China and export-countries (like Eastern Europe), and for A21 people stand in line?

Even now, petrol consumption is very important. In 2-3 years Diesel and gas engines with hybrid will be normal for such ADVANCED market like the USA, Europe and Canada. Will China producers be ready for it?