Rumors of Chinese carmakers preparing to start selling vehicles in the U.S. have been floating around for quite a few years, but it has yet to happen as of early 2017. However, with Qoros having already launched its products in Europe and with other companies rolling out increasingly better cars, that specific moment seems to be getting closer. How closer is the U.S. to welcoming a Chinese brand? Well, visitors at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show just witnessed the first automaker from the world's most populous country display the vehicles it plans to launch in North America.
The company in question is GAC Motor, a large automotive group that sells passenger cars under the Trumpchi brand, cars and commercial vehicles under the Gonow brand, and SUVs as Changfeng Motor. GAC also runs joint-ventures with Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota in China, building the Dodge Dart-based Fiat Viaggio and Toyota Camry, among other cars, for the Chinese market.
At the 2017 Detroit Motor Show, GAC decided to showcase its U.S.-bound models using the Trumpchi brand (cue the Donald Trump jokes!) Established in 2010, Trumpchi launched its first vehicle, a sedan based on the old Alfa Romeo 166 (discontinued in 2007), ahead of the 2010 Asian Games. Since then, the brand also introduced a hatchback and a couple of crossovers. Interestingly enough, Trumpchi has already made its debut on U.S. soil, having showcased a hybrid sedan at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. This time around, the Chinese brand brought no fewer than three cars to Cobo Center.
Trumpchi's lineup for the show included the GS7 crossover, the EnSpirit plug-in hybrid concept, and the GE3 electric hatchback. All three cars boast modern exterior designs and some of them even have a few unique features, but nothing very impressive to talk about. The GS7 looks like the kind of boxy crossover some American's may buy, while the EnSpirit has a sportier design. Then there's the GE3 EV, which blends traditional small crossover cues with the looks of a kei car, which isn't a very fortunate combination to be honest.
Unfortunately, there aren't any actual details about these vehicles available right now, but only the GS7 appears to be ready for production, with both the EnSpirit and GE3 still in concept form. However, GAC did say that it's planning to release its vehicles in the North American market in 2018, "after the market survey, obtaining certification and regulation and communicating with potential dealers."
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Why It Matters
Given the poor performance, awful designs, cheap interiors, and not-so-great technology most Chinese cars from the past are known for, it's easy to laugh at brand like Trumpchi and bet against any kind of success the brand may have in North America. However, China's industry has evolved dramatically in just about any sector in recent years, and its automotive companies are rolling out better and better products. Coming to the U.S. in 2018 will be no walk in the park though, especially with North America's increasingly stricter safety, emissions, and fuel economy standards, but it will be interesting to see how GAC manages to keep its promise. Chinese cars in the U.S. may be a total fiasco, but a good market strategy and competitive prices could also bring a breath of fresh air in certain segments.