Budget cars en route from China

Houston Chronicle ^ | May 16, 2004 | DAVID KAPLAN

[Samurai_Jack]

let me be the first to say...

COMMIEMOBILES

(trademark)

[rageaholic]

Remember the Yugo? With financing as low as it is, even poor folks can drive respectable cars. These chi-comobiles will cost more than financing in repairs and towing. Not to mention safety issues.

[freekitty]

Yeah, but do they run and are they put together with chewing gum.

[Rome2000]

I'd rather buy a cheap car made by a Chinese commie than a wildly overpriced piece of junk made by an American Democrat union moron.

[Incorrigible]

From http://www.geely.com/english/index.htm

Leapord:

[fightu4it]

When will Wal-Mart start selling them?

[Uncle George]

They come equiped with a complete tool kit::: A PAIR OF CHOPSTICKS AND SUPER GLUE.

[Tax Government]

These will be a big success. Deservedly so.

There is no reason American manufacturers haven't tried to fill the entry-price motorcycle and car niches; I'm glad someone is doing it.

[fightu4it]

The latest version, the Mao, only comes in RED.

[neutrino]

I'd rather buy a cheap car made by a Chinese commie than a wildly overpriced piece of junk made by an American Democrat union moron.

Really? You'd actually prefer to do business with a communist from China than with an American?

I wonder why American soldiers, police, and firefighters should care to protect you. Perhaps, since you are so fond of the Chinese, you should ask their government to take over those roles on your behalf. Or, if you'd like, you could just move over there - perhaps you could make a living teaching English.

After all, I wouldn't want for you to be unhappy due to associating with all those Americans.

[Tax Government]

Actually, there IS a reason why American manufacturers haven't offered cheap cars. They are lazy, set in their ways, unionized, and soft. And, they think by waving a made-in-the-US flag they can make Americans buy their stuff. NOT.

[fightu4it]

Be sure and check the trunk for illegals!

[neutrino]

Very cheap Chinese vehicles appear to be another threat to the US manufacturing base. Can we afford a further loss of industrial capability?

If you want on or off my offshoring ping list, please FReepmail me!

[winodog]

I recently read a article about throw away cars and it looks like they will be here sooner then I thought

[Samurai_Jack]

I have to agree here... american companies are hamstrung by the unions into being less than competetive. Now competition from foreign automakers is driving their unemployment rates like a skyrocket, and they are shocked.

Im not.

[Dog Gone]

China may call itself communist, but they abandoned communist economic policy nearly two decades ago. It is most definitely capitalist today.

However, the government still rules with an iron fist and in partnership with private enterprise. In other words, China is not communist; it is fascist.

[Huntingtonian]

Not bad looking and apparently the power plant is a TOYOTA engine. Toyata makes some pretty fine motors. IF they can offer Toyota quality drive-trains and decent quality body/interiors then these cars will sell.

As for the unionized American Automakers, sure the labor is Democrat but the management is Republican. Ford is a huge Republican supporter, giving several times as much money to the GOP as they do the Dems. GM is also pro-GOP in its corporate giving. German owned Chrysler was conspicuously 'even-handed' in 2000.

We own a Focus and and F-150 BTW.

[fightu4it]

Are they subject to all the same industry safety standards that American vehicles are?

If so, how do they stack up against their American competition?

[staytrue]

I'd rather buy a cheap car made by a Chinese commie than a wildly overpriced piece of junk made by an American Democrat union moron.

I don't think GM,Ford or MB/Chrysler make all that many cars here anymore. I own a mexican buick.