Chinese Dreaming: Another U.S. entrepreneur...

[Variance]

Link: http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103079

Chinese Dreaming: Another U.S. entrepreneur signs deal, aims to import cars to U.S.
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
Posted Date: 9/1/05


Hap Hirsh, who distributed rustproofing to auto dealers in the 1980s, is the latest entrepreneur to dream of selling Chinese vehicles in the United States.

Hirsh has signed a deal to distribute vehicles assembled by a small north China automaker, Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Co. The company, which produces SUVs and pickups, sold just 28,114 vehicles in 2004, down 2 percent from 2003, says consultant Global Insight of London.

Chen Zhenhua, an executive at Hebei Zhongxing, confirms the company has an agreement with Hirsh, but adds: "It will be one year or more before we can even think of exporting to the U.S. There are a lot of things we have to resolve - not just making sure our engines meet U.S. emissions standards, but also safety standards and many other things.

"He (Hirsh) didn't think it would be any problem, but I think it will be pretty difficult."

The first exports would be pickups, he says.

Thermo-Guard Inc., Hirsh's rustproofing company, closed in 1989 and later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Hirsh also helped sign up dealers for Malcolm Bricklin's Electric Bicycle Co., which failed in 1997.

Bricklin says he plans to sell Chinese cars in the United States starting in 2007. And David Shelburg Sr. of Scottsdale, Ariz., a former Bricklin associate at Subaru, also is trying to distribute Chinese vehicles in the United States.

[Flybrian]

The company, which produces SUVs and pickups, sold just 28,114 vehicles in 2004, down 2 percent from 2003, says consultant Global Insight of London.

Hmmm. He could be onto something. Maybe there is room in the American marketplace for a small and relatively vague company to sell only trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Wait...

...nevermind.

[s113]

This begs the question: How many different makes can one country support, even if we are talking about the U.S.? :P

[balthazar]

What is the nature of the 'agreement'; in that: is it a license or does it otherwise grant 'permission' to sell in the U.S.? What I'm getting at is; is there a technical & legal way to outright refuse the companies' product? I'd like to know exactly where to direct my anger in situations like this...

[Robert Hall]

This begs the question:  How many different makes can one country support, even if we are talking about the U.S.?  :P

[post="7987"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Quite a few.... look at the UK, for example...considerably smaller market the US, but probably more makes sold there than the US....(Proton, Puegeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Skoda, SEAT, TVR, Diahatsu, Ssangyong, to name a few)...