Holden Sees China As A Serious Long-Term Threat

[Univex]

THE Chinese automotive industry is likely to become a global superpower within the next decade, according to Holden engineering director Tony Hyde. And its explosive growth has the potential to wipe out small manufacturers if they fail to be flexible enough to keep up with technology and, more importantly, keep manufacturing costs low.
“Their main objective in the short term will be to provide for themselves,” Mr Hyde said.
“They will dip the toe in the water (of exporting) occasionally, but I think eventually everyone will be concerned about the Chinese industry... “It could be the scariest thing we’ve ever seen! “I am saying that on the basis that their wage rates continue to be low and all the other economic advantages they have stay in place. As countries develop, their standard of living increases and suddenly they are just another country like the rest of the world.
“I think they will get quite progressive quite quickly, and I would think that in 10 years they will be very strong.”
For Holden, Mr Hyde said it was therefore critical for it to survive in the global market as a respected source of technical expertise.
- ANDREW MacLEAN

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[GM>Toyota]

Yea we'll it was only a matter of time before this became evident. If anything, they'll force the other companies to put out even stronger product and that can only be good for the consumer.

[jwrebholz]

I'm glad SOMEONE sees them as a threat besides me. It will not take the Chinese long to catch up to everyone else in terms of quality, reliability and performance. People laugh at the Chinese now. 15 years from now nobody is going to be laughing.

[Martino_z]

And whats more scary is that our governments wont do anything to prevent the chinese from overwhelming the marketplace with cars so cheap that the locals and others for that matter can't compete. People will buy the chinese cars in droves until the competition dies out. Then when there is no competition the price of the chinese cars will be jacked up way higher to the price of its defeated competitors while quality goes down.

It's the stupidity of people that ignore where product is made and owned and vote for people who don't care about the nation that is setting us on such a dangerous course for the future.

[hunchman]

Originally Posted by jwrebholz

I'm glad SOMEONE sees them as a threat besides me. It will not take the Chinese long to catch up to everyone else in terms of quality, reliability and performance. People laugh at the Chinese now. 15 years from now nobody is going to be laughing.

nobody is laughing at them as a matter of fact corporate america loves them..........you only need to check the label on almost everything walmart sells to see this

[01cavalier]

Good thing they see China as a threat, they are. The product may be junk now, but that was the same for Korean cars when they started to be sold in the States.

[DanCBJMS1988]

Well, if Jiangling Landwind, Chery QQ, Geely Beauty Leopard, BYD F6, and others are any sign of what's going on, . . . .

[chinamonty]

Walmart is the 5th largest COUNTRY that China sells to (thats equivalent to of course). Their stores in China (notall yet) now even have unions. You will find China focus on spares but remember most of the companies here are joint ventures. If you want to read a little bit of what goes on here go to www.sznews.com and check out Shenzhen daily. It often has articles on the auto industry. It did today for instance but those interested can have a look themselves. Of course it is not a warts and all paper but it gives reasonable balance on economic issues.
Oh yeah it is in English!

[chinamonty]

Originally Posted by DanCBJMS1988

Well, if Jiangling Landwind, Chery QQ, Geely Beauty Leopard, BYD F6, and others are any sign of what's going on, . . . .

They are not the top end by any means. The Zhong Gua by Brilliance is a nice looking car nd not too bad. The Guangzhou Hondas are well put together, as are the Chevs and Buicks and Audis.