Buying from Uncle Mao: US Cherry Models

[YSSMAN]

Chery Automobile — a Chinese automaker whose cars will be sold under the Visionary Vehicles nameplate in North America — is hard at work on a number of new vehicles that could eventually find their way to the U.S. market. In recent days, a number of photos leaked online showing new prototypes and mockups for forthcoming models from the carmaker. Details on the cars still remain sparse, but the developments are nonetheless interesting.

I've decided to post them in order of how "good looking" they are in my book...

Not bad, has a hint of Vectra in it.

Again, not too bad, but the headlights are a little wonky...

Thanks for letting us know its and SUV guys, but why would I want to drive something out of Robocop III?

 

[CDailey]

The SUV looks looks like the Mitsu Endeavor with TVR Sagaris head lights.
I really like the second car and the first one doesn't look too bad either.

 

[niky]

#1: Audi Passat... Or Volkswagen A6... take your pick.

#2: Scion tC... seriously, so much so, it's not funny

#3: Yeah... Endeavor... Nissan Endeavor or Mitsubishi Quest (has a bit of the shoulders to it...)

 

[YSSMAN]

I was thinking about the 3000 SUX from Robocop when I first saw the truck. I don't know why, but the thing is just, well, blech!

 

[GT4_Rule]

Eww....

The second pic's headlights look like it's from CLS.

I'm ashamed that Chinese can't design cars...better conceal my Chinese identity now.

 

[a6m5]

Ugh. Throw away cars. I wonder how many miles these cars will actually go, before something breaking. If you get financing for cars like these, then you are screwed!

 

[Crash]

I'm ashamed that Chinese can't design cars...better conceal my Chinese identity now.

Everyone's got to start somewhere. Korea did it, Japan use to (do they still?) copy cars from Europe. Remember how the Lexus LS famously copied the Mercedes S-Class?

Eventually, if we Chinese are serious in building good cars that could compete on an international level, we'll eventually get have our own individual design language.

 

[a6m5]

Everyone's got to start somewhere. Korea did it, Japan use to (do they still?) copy cars from Europe. Remember how the Lexus LS famously copied the Mercedes S-Class?

Eventually, if we Chinese are serious in building good cars that could compete on an international level, we'll eventually get have our own individual design language.

Lexus weren't crap, but you are right, we all had to get started somewhere. Just let other people buy them for the first decade or two.

 

[YSSMAN]

I herd a week or so ago that Geeley has completely scrapped plans for the US market, as they were origionally going to sell a Camry-sized car here in the US for about $10,000. Not that I really care, but it makes you wonder if Cherry will be able to do that much better...

 

[exigeracer]

For a cheap Chinese manufacturer, the designs are actually really unique! Good job, just don't mess everything else up, but I know they will.

 

[harrytuttle]

The entire Chinese auto industry consists of copies: copies of engine designs, visual designs, interior designs...everything. Nothing is original. But even worse is that they didn't get it right. At all. Just because element A works on car A, and element B works on car B, there's no reason to believe that both elements will work on the same car (which these three cars so clearly prove).

It's like V for Vendetta: it's an acceptable copy of the original story, but the writers clearly didn't understand the point & underlying themes of the source material, and thus were totally unable to properly portray the overt elements of the story well, and totally missed the chance to make a meaningful film.

These cars are poo. I look forward to the good laugh I will have test driving them.

 

[amp88]

Is the "SUV" a mock-up or is it a finished car? The body panels look like they're plastic. You could spit through it.

 

[High-Test]

That "SUV" is the most hideous vehicle I have ever seen.


I will boycott any vehicles from a country that producess mobile execution chambers. Wait, I'm thinking of the Landwind Jianling, right?

 

[NSX-R]

Seriously, except for the SUV, they are all acceptable.

Cough cough... sorry I gotta get out here... Cough cough... oh the negativity in here...

 

[exigeracer]

I see nothing wrong with the two cars They look quite nice, to be honnest.

YSSMAN - looks like your beloved Leftlanenews totally stole those pictures from someone. Check the blatant copywright removal on those shots. Shame!

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

I will boycott any vehicles from a country that producess mobile execution chambers. Wait, I'm thinking of the Landwind Jianling, right?

Oh come on, half the stuff you carry around in your in your car is probably made in China, anyway. What's the difference if the vehicle that hauls it all around is made in China, too?

 

[a6m5]

Oh come on, half the stuff you carry around in your in your car is probably made in China, anyway. What's the difference if the vehicle that hauls it all around is made in China, too?

My sunglasses have much less mechanism and cost a lot less than my car.

 

[NSX-R]

I've got tremedous respect for those who are open-minded, and somewhat disappointed for you auto-conservatives.

Time will heal the wounds, many manufactures start at 0, but cherry has to start at -100. Good luck to them.

 

[a6m5]

I've got tremedous respect for those who are open-minded, and somewhat disappointed for you auto-conservatives.

With all due respect, I don't think it has anything to do with "open-mindedness". This is not some kind of biase.

Majority of people in the U.S. buys new cars with loans. People who will finance these cars will: a) Trade them in at huge loss. b) Get stuck with a car with mechanical issue(s). Because if you think their "new" price is good, wait until their used car prices are available.

I don't speak negatively about Chinese cars, because of which country it came from. I'm not a fool. If their midsize sedan is going to be as good as say a Ford Fusion, and costs only $10,000, I wouldn't think twice about picking the Chinese counterpart.

P.S. I think the most intriquing question is, is it going to be better than the first lineup of Daewoos? You wouldn't think so, Daewoo were South Koreans with much more established reputation. But of course, that was quite while ago........

 

[GT4_Rule]

A car is a major investment, surpassed only by a house for most people - and if the car doesn't live up to the expectations of the buyers, of course there would be lots of negativity. The Japanese started off making quality products, such as radio transmitters, transistors and such. China started off making pirated and unreliable products - see the difference?

 

[a6m5]

A car is a major investment, surpassed only by a house for most people - and if the car doesn't live up to the expectations of the buyers, of course there would be lots of negativity. The Japanese started off making quality products, such as radio transmitters, transistors and such. China started off making pirated and unreliable products - see the difference?

Have you ever seen "Back to the Future" with Michael J. Fox? According to that movie, it ain't so.

 

[exigeracer]

This is not some kind of biase.

b) Get stuck with a car with mechanical issue(s).

I don't speak negatively about Chinese cars, because of which country it came from.

You contradict your first and third statements with the second. It seems that you aren't as unbiased and independantly minded as you state.

Are you really unbiased?

 

[JCE]

The saloon actually looks real good, that's much better than the Kia's and Hyundai's first attempt. The coupe' looks good...just have to get used to those headlights. And I don't see what's so wrong here...Cherry will go through it's growing pains JUST LIKE Hyundai did. They just have to start from a lower point than Hyundai did. And the price will probably get alot of buyers...just for the cheap transportation aspect.

 

[a6m5]

You contradict your first and third statements with the second. It seems that you aren't as unbiased and independantly minded as you state.

Are you really unbiased?

It's not a contradiction, but you really took it out of context. It was one of the two possibilities that I suggested would happen to certain type of buyers. Media from all the countries are reporting that Chinese cars are not up to par with the rest, so it's not some kind of negative personal opinion I have on Chinese cars.

Discussion at hand was about the biase towards Chinese auto makers. Since I could care less if this company was from Antarctica, I don't believe I have a biase. Now, if you are accusing me of a biase toward a company that is a newcomer, I guess it could have been taken that way, depending on how you look at it.

 

[Tornado]

Bring on the Zastava jokes. I'm ready.

I hope you "conservatives" realise that there is no way that these cars would be sold like the ones in China. They will not be stupidly unsafe liker the Jianling Landwind, nor will they be silly copies of other cars (again, like the Landwind). Though it must be said, the car the Landwind copied (Isuzu Rodeo) was no safer than the Landwind was, so be quiet about that.

 

[a6m5]

Bottomline: Would you take out a 5-year loan on the first generation of Chinese cars in the States?(This is a hypothetical question, I'm just making a point).

 

[Tornado]

No, but I am sick of hearing people rate Chinese cars by what they are selling in China.

 

[a6m5]

No, but I am sick of hearing people rate Chinese cars by what they are selling in Japan.

I had no idea they sold in Japan. What kinds?

 

[Tornado]

Whoops. I meant China.

 

[a6m5]

Well, obviously, those pics(from the first post) are from the developmental stage, if that. These indeed are new generation of Chinese cars, that will be coming over to the U.S.

I'm going to use the S. Koreans here, not because of a biase( ), but because companies like Kia, Hyundai, and Daewoo were the most recent major manufacturer to try out for the U.S. Market.

All three of those companies were crap in the beginning. 2 out of those 3 actually went belly up. How long did it take for the sole survivor to actually get a favorable reputation, I mean it was just like 2, 3 years ago. If South Koreans had such a hard time, I'd have hard time imagining Chinese makes fairing any better. I'm sure Japanese companies went thru same stages as well, though even I'm too young to remember that one.