More about cars in Asia than Asian cars.
While watching a business news programme on some third-rate TV station, I noticed a short segment about the Beijing motor show, where several major global manufacturers premiered new cars and/or prototypes. I noticed the next-generation C1-based (like the Ford CMAX, Volvo S50, Mazda Axela, etc.) Ford Focus concept as well as the made-in-Wuhan Peugeot 307 sedan, which actually looks somewhat like the current Focus.
Given the potential of the Chinese market as well as its growth, Corolla-size family cars the are likely to become hot-sellers there as automobile prices go down, like elsewhere in eastern Asia; obviously all manufacturers want a piece of that.
While “Chinese cars” used to be associated with models which looked outdated alongside their Soviet forebears (Beijing army 4WDs, Shanghai SH sedans, Hongqi limos), these days they have a China-only Audi A6, with a longer wheelbase. And it's the only country outside the Americas where Buicks are made (which may yet help avoid the venerable marque becoming another Oldsmobile)
And motor shows in China are now of prime importance.
The People’s one-party-rule Republic official press agency Xinhua, claims the next Shanghai show to be even bigger; such venues might soon eclipse old-time favourites of mine like Geneva, and so more models might be premiering there in the future, including future Maybachs and future Lamborghinis.
However, we are not yet seeing the emergence of a truly home-grown motor industry as was the case in Japan and Korea. Perhaps globalisation has made such phase obsolete.
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