[chinoy54]

the fact that all foreign automakers are partnered w/local companies is a requirement under chinese regulations, isn't it? it's the principle of-if you want to sell in china, you must produce in china, a basic principle set in the late 1990's. the logic being that the local partner benefits from the eventual technology transfer. part of this arrangement also allows the local partner to produce & sell, under its own brand any outdated design from its foreign partner, thereby giving the local partner a presence in the local market separate & distinct from its foreign partner. someone in the CAMA explained this to me years back. can you confirm this, jmsteiny?