And so it begins: Chinese cars to Europe

Two Chinese cars have been approved by the European Union for sale on that continent, according to Reuters. They will be launched there next month.

• Zhejiang Jonway UFO
• Shuanghuan Automobile CEO

Both models have come under fire because their appearance is similar to rivals. The UFO looks like the Toyota Rav4 and the CEO resembles the BMW X5.

BMW has already started legal proceedings to stop the CEO's launch, while Toyota will not take legal action to block the UFO's sale.

These are the cars in question, the UFO on the left, the CEO on the right...

Other major Chinese carmakers are announcing their plans to have models in Europe by 2011 once they meet European safety and emissions regulations:

• Geely Automobile. China's largest private carmaker, plans to start selling its CK sedan in Europe.
• BYD Auto. Wants to have its F1 small hatchback in the EU, also a plug-in version of its hybrid F6 DM sedan.
• Changfeng Motor. Planning a joint venture with Mitsubishi in China, wants to sell the Liebao CS7 and CS6 SUVs, and the Kylin minivan. After that, the U.S.

Tags: Shuanghuan Automobile, Shijiazhuang Shuanghuan Automobile Co., Shijiazhuang Shuanghuan, Shuanghuan CEO, Zhejiang Jonway UFO, Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Zhejiang Jonway, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, Geely, BYD, BYD Auto, Changfeng, Changfeng Motor, BMW, Toyota, Rav4, Toyota Rav4, BMW X5

Powered by Qumana

Comments

[Brake Pipe Nutter]

Am i missing something here? That Sceo doesn't half look like a BMW X5 eh?

What you guys think?

[Adrian]

I really enjoy reading your blog, it always has great insight. But I am very frustrated with the fact that so few people are talking about presidential candidates and their thoughts on global warming. Now that it is down to just a few candidates I would think that this would be a bigger issue.

Live Earth just picked up this topic and put out an article ( http://www.liveearth.org/news.php ) live earth is also asking why the presidential candidates are not being solicited for their stance on the issue of the climate change. I just saw a poll on www.EarthLab.com that says people care a lot about what their next leader thinks of global warming. Does anyone know of another poll or other results about this subject?

Here is the page where I saw the EarthLab poll: http://www.earthlab.com/life.aspx. This is a pretty legit website; they are endorsed by Al Gore and the alliance for climate protection and they have a carbon footprint calculator. Does anyone have a strong opinion about this like I do? No matter what your political affiliation is or who you vote for this is an important issue for our environment, our economy and for homeland security.