Another Chinese Carmaker Wants to Sell in U.S.

Joining the ranks of Chery Automobile Co., Geely Automobile Company and Great Wall Motor Co., Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Co. is the fourth Chinese automaker with plans to sell cars in the U.S., according to Automotive News. ZX Automobile Co. of North America, a subsidiary of China America Automotive Inc., of Parsippany, N.J., says it plans to import SUVs and pickups manufactured by Zhongxing in the second half of 2007, according to Automotive News. However, Zhongxing (pronounced jong shing) faces an uphill battle in achieving the hard-earned reputation of other foreign automakers such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan, according to Autoweek. Zhongxing sold a total of 7,840 vehicles in 2005 (down 34 percent from 2004), and because the company’s models don’t meet U.S. emissions and safety standards, the Chinese automaker currently has no models salable in the United States.