First Chinese Car Displayed in Detroit

Chinese automaker Geely (JEE-lee) is exhibiting its 7151 CK compact sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the first time a Chinese model bound for the U.S. has been displayed in this country. According to a report in USA Today, the company has moved up its timetable for selling cars in the U.S., while rival China-car entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin, the first to announce plans to sell Chinese cars here, has pushed back his plan to launch cars built by Chinese automaker Chery. Geely said it now plans to put a compact sedan and a sports car on sale in the U.S. in the fall of 2008, several months earlier than it had expected. Bricklin says he's delayed the planned launch of five Chery models through his Visionary Vehicles company until late 2007 from early '07.
Depending on the model, Chinese cars are expected to sell for as much as 50% less than similarly equipped models from the U.S. or Europe. The Geely sedan to be sold in the U.S., which will be a renamed and refined version of the one shown in Detroit, is expected to retail for $10,000.