This kind of attitude is understandable since many of the Chinese car manufacturers actually find their roots in the manufacturing of goods other than vehicles; it is only recently that many Chinese companies, seeking alternative financial opportunities and unforeseen potential growth, have turned to the automotive market thus making it currently the most lucrative in China.

Unlike other international coherent and planned car shows, which the China Auto Show aspires to be, in Beijing the divide between foreign and local manufacturers was painfully obvious. Separated physically, the foreign stands were glamorous and significantly bigger than the local Chinese displays, though it seems that both parties were seriously under the requested assigned areas.
The foreign biggies were all showing the usual suspects by recycling cars and stands from other car shows with the exceptional surprise debut of Ford’s Focus Sedan concept car. The actual production version is said to be quite close to the well-proportioned concept and its debut was obviously intended to reinforce Ford’s interest in being a key part of China’s rush hour.

Adapting to China’s car market demands is a game of details and the three basic rules. To make it big for the next five years the rules are: 1) 3-box format, 2) foreign automaker logo, or look-alike, and 3) low prices.

In the meantime there are a few lone rangers than are blazoning the way with determination and developing their own design experience by building concept cars for shows like this one. As smaller companies grow, get consolidated or die out Chinese automaker names to look out for in the future will be Geely, Chery, and Great Wall Motors. Independent and privately owned these companies have invested heavily in making their Sino-American dream come true.

Geely Co. may be small but at the show their message was loud and clear, “Life Beyond Expectation”! Geely’s company challenge is to make better products and provide better service to the Chinese population in the economical car realm.

On the other hand, Chery’s aim is seriously international and they understand that to be competitive you have to be cutthroat and won’t be making any friends along the way. Chery understands that design equals money in this business and via their design development team created their very own 7-seater concept MPV called the New Crossover while covering up their Chevy Spark clone QQ with bunny fun and fur just is case.

Great Wall Motors is equally ambitious in the SUV & Pick Up market showing off their prowess with the debut of their Hover CUV that “incorporates the features of passenger car, SUV, and wagon, and meets the demand of urbanite appealing for off road travel”, reads the brochure.

These are but a few of the examples of the kind of directions we can expect from the few lone warriors that with experience and the freedom they cherish will become some of China’s top exporters probably by 2007. For now it is a real free for all! When even the auto industry’s most dignified players, read Maybach, Aston Martin, Lamborghini (stashed under a connecting hall), Bentley, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce have to throw around their weight to get some precious and desperately needed show space then you know things are getting hot.

China is the new frontier full of pot holes, unexpected obstacles, and tons of blind spots but those who can survive the ride will profit nicely.