How Chinese drivers will influence your next car

[ALS]

In fact if not for strong Chinese demand, Buick likely would have been abandoned with four of the company’s other brands during its 2009 bankruptcy.

Paul A. Eisenstein - MSNBC - April 26, 2012

At first glance, it might look like a conventional BMW 3-Series sedan, but a closer inspection reveals it’s been stretched 11 centimeters -- about 4 inches for metrically challenged Americans -- almost all of that going to rear-seat occupants.

For now, the BMW 335Li, like the long-wheelbase Infiniti M35hL and other “stretch” models, are targeted specifically for China, where a sizable number of car buyers prefer to be chauffeured, riding in the back seat. But going forward, many manufacturers say, the products they are now designing for China will have broader applications in other markets.

“Automakers like to follow the money,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of Asia, Pacific and African operations at Ford. And more and more of their revenues are being derived from China -- now the world’s largest national market. Barely a decade ago, the region he represents accounted for barely a sixth of global auto sales. It’s now a third and will soon generate half. China alone is forecast to see auto sales rise to 30 million units by 2020, 80 percent above the previous U.S. record.... [Read More]

[WriConsult]

The article is pretty light on specifics about what would be different about Chinese-influenced cars, other than more length/legroom. I don't doubt that the chauffeur culture leads to longer vehicles -- after all, parking it in a tight spot is someone else's job, right? Europeans (and some Americans!) have to worry about parking their cars THEMSELVES on city streets where space is tight.

So I'm not surprised to read that Chinese tastes are closer to Americans than Europeans are to us ... ahh, too bad, because my own tastes are closer to those of Europeans than to typical Americans or apparently the Chinese either. Fortunately I was able to obtain a reliable Asian car that was designed for the European market! That's win-win for me.

What other aspects of vehicle design might be influenced by the Chinese market? Luxury features and appointments? Interior finish? Ride and handling? Again, the article offers few clues, though given a chauffeur-driven buying public I might hazard some guesses.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

If the Chinese aren't buying EVs then I don't see how they'll be influencing my next purchase.

[herm]

next will see chinese cowboys (yaks?) driving large pickups

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...358/1148/rss25

Middle-class moms driving SUV sales in China

Zhou Na, a 37-year-old Beijing mother, says she knows why sport utility vehicles are the fastest-growing segment in the world's biggest automobile market: kids.

"I have to drive my kid around practically nonstop on Saturday," said Zhou, who ferries her 8-year-old son to Kung Fu and English classes on weekends to the Children's Palace of Beijing before joining her friends for yoga. "It's pretty tiring, but I feel very good driving my BMW X5 around."

Zhou represents the growing army of so-called tiger moms who may fuel the next spurt of growth for the automotive industry in China, where the middle-class population is projected to double over the next decade. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG and Ford Motor Co. are among automakers unveiling new models, particularly SUVs, at this week's Beijing International Automotive Exhibition to vie for families looking for a second vehicle to drive around children and buy groceries.

"You look at the trend for more utility and family-oriented vehicles and behind that is women," said Bill Russo, a senior adviser at Booz & Co. and formerly Chrysler Group LLC's China head. "In the U.S., we call it the soccer moms."

SUV demand in China jumped 20 percent last year, more than triple the growth in total passenger-car deliveries, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. SUV demand continues to outpace other vehicle segments, with sales up 18 percent in the first quarter, bucking the slump in the broader market, where deliveries fell for the first time since 2005.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

Yes , women and the "judgement" they use can be blamed for many disasters. Including minivans and SUVS ( 21st century minivan) .

And how did you know that "yak" is the popular name for Chinese cowboys ? I'm not sure that is what they like to be called , though. If we have any Chinese cowboys here , please chime in and correct us.

[herm]

sorry, yakboys

[50 mpg by 2012]

It will be interesting to see how "state driven" fuel economy requirements for 2015 and 2020 effect the Det3 Aisia-Pacific offerrings.

We have already seen greater rear seat leg room in the back seat of upscale vehicles ... just not in the US.