China moves closer to taking over: Volvo dealers to sell Geely models?

[Philly]

Autoblog

Volvo's pending sale to Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group could lead to big changes (or not) for the Swedish automaker and its thousands of employees, but what about its hundreds of Volvo dealerships here in the States? Could Volvo dealers be granted Geely franchises? Will the Chinese automaker utilize its new sales channels to slowly introduce low-cost Chinese vehicles to the U.S. market? Automotive News asked dealers from around the country if they would be interested in selling Geely models, and the responses were mixed at best.

According to AN, many dealers were "receptive" to selling low-cost Geely models; a seemingly expected answer for any good business type. Mark O'Steen of O'Steen Volvo in Jacksonville, Florida reportedly called the possibility of selling Geely models "appealing," adding "it is just another niche that we don't cover, and hopefully they do have some potential in the United States." Mike DiChristofano, vice president of Volvo of Tucson in Arizona had perhaps the best answer of all, pointing to the inability of General Motors to selll off Saab (at least to this point), adding "until this deal goes down, I'm not even thinking about selling a Geely car."

Even if Geely does plan to begin selling Chinese vehicles to the U.S. market by using Volvo dealers, the plan will likely take a lot of time to materialize. Geely reportedly has a lot of work to do to improve safety and quality before being ready for the U.S. market. Global Insight analyst Lin Huaibin told AN that Geely is at least five years away from having products ready for American showrooms.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req. | Image: David McNew/Getty]

I'm not sure if I like the idea of Chinese cars flooding the market quite yet. As it stands, we already have a lot of companies selling a lot of brands of cars and the market is already very saturated. Adding Chinese cars (especially on the cheap) will probably upset the balance even more and possibly force people to leave the market or something.

It's also ironic that the company known for safety would suddenly be selling the most dangerous cars on the market...

 

[maximumattack]

Selling cars that look like other cars might be acceptable in China, but I reckon Mercedes won't be too happy if this went on sale in the US or Europe.

Top car Geely, bottom car Merc

This next one is my favourite, replica Rolls Royce sir?

 

[Jim Prower]

I'd honestly like to see Geely learn what they're doing wrong when they get these cars and start reverse-engineering them. I could see them taking What Volvo (and, thus, Ford Europe,) knows and basically become Volvo's low-spec line.

But I'm not sure the management will get it. yet.

 

[Tornado]

The U.S. government would likely block Geely's entrance into the market until the above was taken care of, so its doubtful we have to worry about America being flooded with Chinese cars.

 

[Jim Prower]

From what I've seen, Geely's no longer selling the knockoff models shown above. The main export models are...

The CK

The MK, and MK2 Hatch.

and the FC

Which are all boring and generic-looking. Not to mention, there's no engine over 1.8L.

as well, there's the aptly named "Panda,"

 

[maximumattack]

Those cars look bland and boring and remind me a bit of Proton cars, the Panda would probably be a bit better with smaller lights and a smaller grill.

 

[Tornado]

The Mk2 Katch and FC look very familiar, but I can't place it (of course, that may be just because of how generic they are). But the Panda looks very much like a bad copy of an Toyota Aygo with a Suzuki Alto front end, especially from the side. And the interior looks much the same. Granted, I'm not sure if it is "block the import of the car" close, but it might very well be "sue the company for an injunction" close.

 

[homeforsummer]

The Mk2 Katch and FC look very familiar, but I can't place it

The saloon looks to me like the Chevrolet Lacetti with Vectra lights, and the hatch looks ridiculously like the Dacia Sandero (though both have a strong hint of Vauxhall/Opel about them).

MK, Lacetti

MK2, Sandero

The MK2 makes me laugh as it's a budget car ripping off another budget car...

 

[Tornado]

I was thinking Sandero too, but that's not quite it. There is something that looks even closer than that which I cannot place.

 

[Jim Prower]

Well...They were both designed with help from Daewoo, so...that could be part of it..

 

[TVC]

Selling cars that look like other cars might be acceptable in China, but I reckon Mercedes won't be too happy if this went on sale in the US or Europe.

Top car Geely, bottom car Merc

Are you sure it's not the other way around?

 

[a6m5]

Are you sure it's not the other way around?

I'd highly doubt that. In China, copies of established foreign cars were very popular practice. All you need is a few search on google, it's quite ridiculous.

Edit: Nevermind, I misread.

 

[TVC]

I'd highly doubt that. In China, copies of established foreign cars were very popular practice. All you need is a few search on google, it's quite ridiculous.

No I mean I think the top one is the real one and the bottom one is the fake one. Maybe I am wrong though?

Yeah I know what you mean. 👍 I would think making your own cars would be better than obviously copying someone elses.

 

[homeforsummer]

I was thinking Sandero too, but that's not quite it. There is something that looks even closer than that which I cannot place.

Is it not the Astra 5dr then?

 

[Tornado]

Aha! That's it.

 

[Omnis]

Is it not the Astra 5dr then?

Why do all of those cars look exactly like the Dacia Sandero?

 

[homeforsummer]

The Astra pre-dates the Sandero by a good few years, so the question should be, "why do the two budget cars look like the Astra?"

 

[Ardius]

Are you sure it's not the other way around?

Yes, its intentional by the original poster to illustrate the point they look the same by switching the names around. Silently asking "can you spot the difference?"
But yes, it is the other way around.

 

[maximumattack]

Yes, its intentional by the original poster to illustrate the point they look the same by switching the names around. Silently asking "can you spot the difference?"
But yes, it is the other way around.

You win the spot the intended typo prize Ardius

 

[homeforsummer]

You win the spot the intended typo prize Ardius

It's essentially something Private Eye magazine has been doing for years...

(Actually, that's a bad example as they aren't switched, but you get the point) Here's a better one...