Will Chinese cars make it in the U.S. market?
Although most of us cant remember, there was a time when U.S. automakers and consumers alike would have scoffed at the idea of Japanese companies taking market share from the Big Three. But by the mid-1980s, one in five cars on American roads was a Japanese model. More recently the Korean cars have been making inroads. Just six or seven years ago, the Korean vehicles lacked the features of American and Japanese vehicles. But I recently took a Hyundai Sonata for a test drive, and the Korean cars have come a long way. With their competitive pricing, Korean cars are now luring consumers in significant numbers. One of my friends told me that he had originally set out to buy a Toyota Camry— but he opted for a Sonata instead. Chinese cars are coming next. Chinese vehicles are already making inroads in the European market. As is the case with the Korean cars, value and competitive pricing are major factors. Here is one European consumers reaction to his Chinese made car: “I’ve got air condi
