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The North American International Auto Show is held every January at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. The show comprises two sections: the main show on the first floor for major carmakers; and the underground Michigan Hall for minor automakers who are setting their sights on a chance to make it into the U.S. market. Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors sold 772,000 cars in the U.S. last year and of course have their booths on the first floor.
But it is the Michigan Hall that holds your interest. Geely Auto was the first Chinese carmaker to have a show room there in 2006. This year, two more Chinese automakers?Changfeng and BYD?occupy space. Smaller carmakers also take part in the motor show, and the number of Chinese participants totals five, the largest in history. In fact, the Michigan Hall looks like a show room dedicated to Chinese carmakers.
Some 1,000 Western reporters thronged Changfeng Motor¡¯s unveiling of a new car on Monday. Traditional Chinese tunes drifted around while models in Chinese outfits introduced the new car.
Changfeng Motor chairman Li Jianxin announced that his company will advance into the U.S. market in 2009 and is considering building a factory there. Geely and BYD also introduced new cars on the same day. An American GM executive said it is a matter of time until Chinese automakers to make inroads into the U.S. market, although they will have some difficulty meeting U.S. safety and environmental standards.
Japan¡¯s Toyota was the winner of winners at the auto show. It captures the second largest share in the U.S. market, overtaking Ford. The Japanese carmaker is making all-out efforts to get the U.S. pickup truck market in its hands. The entire spectacle raises serious concerns for the future of Korean carmakers who are in danger of being squeezed between their Chinese and Japanese rivals.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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