Being a car guy, I check out what is on the roads, as much as looking for the best fajitas. Sure, Mexico has much of what see in North America and the policia drive Chargers and Taurus cruisers, just like here at home. Then there are the differences and much has changed in the past couple of years. VW has started importing their Spanish Seat line and now Renault also has a strong presence. Even Dacia is present, but they are being sold by their parent company as Renaults.
What surprised me most were the vehicles from BAIC. Who? Good question. BAIC is a Chinese company, that just started selling cars in Mexico a couple of years ago. Are they serious? No doubt, as they are currently assembling cars there and have unveiled plans to build a billion dollar factory to open in 2020. That's serious, folks. They are shipping Mexican cars to South America and they plan to start a North American presence later this year. We'll see.
So what do they have to offer us? For starters a couple of nice little economy cars, the D20 sedan and hatchback.......
But hey, we all know that these type of cars don't sell so well these days in our neck of the woods, so I can't see BAIC planning to make an impact with them. We are worshiping the great suv gods, so if they plan to do more than fill showrooms with cars that are nailed to the floor, there damn well better be an suv or several in the mix. Maybe this pleasant looking X25 could work........
Looks like it would fit right into our hotter than hot compact suv market.
Stepping back a bit, just who is BAIC? They advertise, "Swedish tech, German standard, Italian design". The Swedish part comes from Saab, the company that they bought when GM cut it loose. I don't see any Italian design elements and who knows what German tech means, so let's just take their word for it.
But they need another suv. So what do they got? Something a little bit bigger, like this S3..........
Count the divisions in the grille. Less than Jeep's seven, so BAIC is good to go, no law suit. Of course, the rest of their "Jeep" appears to be identical to the original, so it should be a winner. Speaking of a winner.......
This new BJ20 looks to fit our image as a tough looking suv, that any Texan would be happy to corral. Now we are talking, so if BAIC brings these models stateside, they should expect a few more people in the showroom. Anyone who thought that the Chinese wouldn't come and if they did, with inferior products, eat your words.
Mexico, similar but different. Great food, great beaches, great people and now more interesting cars. And obviously a jumping off spot for the North American market.
Buenos dias, China and your cars.
Until next time.......
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