The largest auto market in the world is now China, passing the USA. Established auto manufacturers are scrambling to get joint ventures ratified in China, and even GM who was trying to sue for the total knock-off of their small car has kissed and made up and now firmly into bed with SAIC.
But whilst we have been rather scornful of the Chinese auto products (as we did with the Japanese a few decades ago and the Koreans two decades ago), ignore the signs at your own peril. The Chinese are now producing vehicles for every marketplace, at a price to sell, with a quality that is much improved. The Chinese auto industry has been looking at what sells in the world marketplace and is bringing forth alternatives to, for example, the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda3.
Chery J3.
Cheery Chery, whose initial toe in the marketplace was the Chery QQ, has brought out the Chery J3, which will be available in 2012, and several thousands of baht cheaper than the New Beetle Mk 2, or the Corolla or the Mazda3. Add to that vehicle, the Great Wall C50 and you are looking at the challengers to Toyota and Mazda from 2012.
Great Wall C50.
The J3 will become Chery’s third passenger car in Australia and is called the J3 – to avoid upsetting Audi with its own A3. We are also very likely to get this model in Thailand to run alongside the QQ.
The J3 is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the latter close in size to Volkswagen’s Golf. Both are powered by a 1.6 liter dual variable valve timing engine with 93 kW and 160 Nm of torque, connected with a CVT auto.
Great Wall’s C50 is similar in size and obviously aimed at the Corolla market. This is a closely fought segment of the marketplace, but has the largest potential, and if the price is right… Have you had a look at the number of Tata dropside utes (pick-ups) around town these days? India will be the next to invade. You have been warned.
