• China's cheap car strategy for the U.S

    2018-07-27
    SHANGHAI -- How much will a Chinese brand need to discount its cars to succeed in America?Wu Song, general manager of aspiring U.S. entrant Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Co., says he has that magic number: His cars will have to be priced 30 percent cheaper than rivals in the same segment.If everything goes his way, Wu will be testing his bargain...
  • The rise of a strong dealer association bodes well for China's auto industry

    2018-07-27
    SHANGHAI -- Where there is oppression, there is rebellion, as a Chinese saying goes.Several global luxury brands late last year dumped vehicles on their dealerships to achieve ambitious annual sales targets.The move triggered a revolt among dealers. It also produced something much needed in China's auto industry -- an industry association that acti...
  • Honda recalls 553,000 vehicles in China to fix Takata airbags

    2018-07-27
    SHANGHAI -- Honda Motor Co. two Chinese joint ventures are recalling 553,000 vehicles to fix potentially defective airbabs made by Takata Corp., underscoring the global reach of the safety crisis after similar campaigns in the U.S., Canada and Japan.Guangqi Honda, one of its Chinese joint ventures, will recall 527,136 Accords produced from May 2002...
  • FAW bribe scandal underscores need for Beijing to dump mandatory JVs for foreign automakers

    2018-07-27
    SHANGHAI -- Beijing renewed a rule this month that foreign automakers seeking to build vehicles in China must form joint ventures with local companies.But allegations of rampant bribery at China FAW Group Corp.'s joint venture with Volkswagen should provide an urgent wake-up call to the government to abandon the rule.The government had hoped state-...