Look Out Toyota, Here Comes The Good Enough Chinese Car

[bronsin]

For years now we have been at the mercy of domestic and foriegn cars making us buy cars with features we do not want. Electric windows, power mirrors, remote entry, ABS, airbags, automatic transmission the list is endless. They use mind control to make us want these things. They use mind control to make us think its OK to PAY for them too.

Well all that may be about to change. Like the VW of the 50s and 60s which made as basic reliable no frills car, China may be about to rock the automotive world:

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/...nough-car?lite

[Flipper_1938]

Sounds like they are building half-assed engineered and built cars. Oh joy.

[Sirius-XM]

More Yugo than Beetle.

China is no Germany. Germany had a history of precision manufacturing. China with few exceptions (e.g. some electronics) makes second rate products.

Want proof. The lifespan of Chinese replacement parts is usually shorter than that of the oem designed and manufactured parts. This includes parts made in China under oem supervision

Originally Posted by bronsin

For years now we have been at the mercy of domestic and foriegn cars making us buy cars with features we do not want. Electric windows, power mirrors, remote entry, ABS, airbags, automatic transmission the list is endless. They use mind control to make us want these things. They use mind control to make us think its OK to PAY for them too.

Well all that may be about to change. Like the VW of the 50s and 60s which made as basic reliable no frills car, China may be about to rock the automotive world:

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/...nough-car?lite

[bronsin]

Just a few years ago I looked at a Hyundai and an ECHO and chose the ECHO.

Its not the same now and it wont be the same with Chinese cars once they get established.

I have a pair of Chinese astronomical binoculars 15X70 I got for $150. A like pair of Japanese are $500-700.

I dont think a lot of people will spend the $700 when they try both.

[DonM]

Sorry, but the words "quality control" are not part of the Chinese vocabulary - I won't buy anything made in China if I can help it.

[vten]

^ especially when it's related to a life and death situation... better to eat ramen noodle everyday to save up and buy a toyota

[Sirius-XM]

Binoculars are not the same as a car and one of the reasons they can make things so cheap is because of currency manipulation. That is something I hope the US Government does something about sooner rather than later.

As a manufacturer, we experimented with Chinese subcontracting of our parts. It was cheaper but we had to test every unit.

Originally Posted by bronsin

Just a few years ago I looked at a Hyundai and an ECHO and chose the ECHO.

Its not the same now and it wont be the same with Chinese cars once they get established.

I have a pair of Chinese astronomical binoculars 15X70 I got for $150. A like pair of Japanese are $500-700.

I dont think a lot of people will spend the $700 when they try both.

[DebbyM46227]

No way would I buy a Chinese car.

[bronsin]

If China is good enough for Steve Jobs, trust me, it'll be good enough for plenty more than that!


Besides, pretty soon a Yaris will be $35,000.

[DMZ]

Chinese made motorcycles and ATV's have been imported into this country for some time. They look nice, but they have a reputation for unreliability that is hard to overcome.

One can pay $7000 - 8,000 for a Chinese product and hope the drive train will last for 4 years.

Or pay more for a Toyota product knowing it will last for 20+ years.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by DMZ

One can pay $7000 - 8,000 for a Chinese product and hope the drive train will last for 4 years.

Or pay more for a Toyota product knowing it will last for 20+ years.

Thats the past. The future might be different.

If you would have told me when I bought my Yaris three years ago Id be replacing the waterpump under warranty at ~ 25k miles I wouldnt have believed it.

[tooter]

I think they're cute...



That's a Panda.

The Chinese have a very steep learning curve and the quality of their cars will quickly rival the others.

[BEEF]

you assume that the $7000 car would come to the US costing the same. They would have to add quite a bit of safety equipment to that car and emissions equipment to make it legal in the US. on top of that, they would probably have to upgrade the drivetrain (i.e. bigger motor) because once you choke the engine down with emissions equipment and add all the extra weight for safety, the little motor they put in it won't sell that car to the average buyer here in the states.

....and you have to pay to ship it to the states as well.

realize also that the emissions and safety equipment are not optional. they are government mandated.

[bronsin]

Wow that door line going into the roof pilar is right out of the Yaris textbook.

I wonder if its water pump will go 25k miles?

[caineroad]

Trust me... With proper quality control experts from overseas, Chinese cars will be no different than other countries currently producing cars.

Look at the products made in China now, how the iPhone is built? Their rockets and spaceships? Come on man, we all know that's the future. China will use a lot of money to hire experts from overseas to cover their weaknesses.

I bet in 10 years time, Chinese cars will be just like Koreans (KIA and Hyundai), you will see it every where. But they will not win over the Germans that's for sure.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by caineroad

. But they will not win over the Germans that's for sure.

Germans get to drive VWs and they dont like Chinese?

[tk1971]

Or... just get a Nissan Versa Sedan now:

From Edmunds:

$10,990 MSRP (base model with 5-spd) + $780 Destination Fee = $11,770

That's about $12k - $13k out the door with sales tax and $200 licensing fees.

I'd feel safer in a Versa than a Smart or even a Panda.

[bronsin]

Hmm interesting.

Cheapest Versa at the local dealer is over $16,000 though....