The world’s major auto manufacturers have been on a tear in China, pushing sales estimates to the millions over the next several years. But what of China’s own automakers? Could they be preparing to enter to the world market? Chinese automobile quality has risen significantly over the last several years. It could be enough to tip the scales in their favor should they choose to expand to other countries.
BEIJING (Reuters) — When Ric Hull first looked at launching Great Wall Motor pickup trucks in Australia last year, he considered rebranding them, worried their obvious Chinese origins would raise questions about their quality.
Ateco Group, Hull’s auto importing and dealership company, decided against marketing the low cost models under “GWM” label, instead embracing the trucks’ made in China credentials, and sales are booming.
“We initially thought: do we resolve the brand question, do we call them GWM? But then we thought that people would know anyway, and that seems to be working very well,” Hull said.
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