Last Auto News – Wal-Mart May Sell Chinese Cars
Last Auto News –
Your future Wal-Mart shopping list:.
- Warm socks
- Chicken Breasts
- Small, Chinese-Built Car to Replace Aging Civic (moonroof, leather, mp3 jack, green if possible)
- Wiper Fluid
- Gift for Grandma?
Kicking Tires explains, “For years, we’ve been hearing that Chinese cars are on their way, and despite fair skepticism there have been in-roads. Chinese companies like Build Your Dreams have debuted plug-in vehicles at American auto shows, while the Mexican company GS Motors has imported Chinese cars to sell in Mexico. Now the industry must brace for the next big idea, which is to sell low-cost Chinese vehicles at big-box retailers like Wal-Mart and Costco.”
According to GS CEO Kathleen Ligocki, the company is already using the concept in Mexico. Hybridcars.com reports that the company sold 4,000 cars that way in Mexico in 2008. It’s been successful enough to lead GS to build a factory to build the cars there. “GS Motors will launch the FAW brand in Mexico this year with the F1 Hatchback, an entry-level car sold for under $5,500.”
According to Kicking Tires, “Ligocki said she believes that within five years consumers will be able to buy a Chinese vehicle at their local Wal-Mart.” No agreement is in place, however.
This can’t happen quickly. The Chinese auto industry today claims about 80 different companies, and analysts believe that, before China can successfully export cars to the U.S. market, the industry needs to consolidate into a handful of larger companies. That process may take a few years. But the move toward selling cars at existing retail outlets could drastically cut the time Chinese automakers would take to become competitive – building a traditional dealership network takes time and money, and creates a web of business relationships that can slow decision making. A relationship with Costco, Wal-Mart or similar stores could eliminate liabilities and time-consuming middlemen for the Chinese automakers.
You don’t need to wait for Costco to start selling cars to find an inexpensive one. Right now, automakers are offering some of the best deals seen in many years. Research the best car deals with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.
Yes, I would buy one of these Chinese cars. I heard alot of negative reports about Chinese 250cc scooters, but I have to admit, most was lies. People calling them lemons, that they break down, ect. My 250cc scooter never broke down and this will be my 3rd year of riding it. I see nothing wrong with Chinese products in general. The cars are good gas savers( 65 mpg on some models) or all electric vehicles. Either way, a person would save a bundle of money.