Don’t get up or go outside, but look around wherever you are. Chances are, something within your line of sight was made in China. Modern Chinese industrialization and manufacturing only began in the latter half of the 20th century, but the country is a global leader in exporting furniture, clothing, lighting, electrical machinery, computers, appliances, and more. It’s no surprise, then, that exporting cars is now part of its economy, too. But the big question on this side of the Pacific is why Chinese manufacturers haven’t landed yet in the U.S., despite a few showing up sporadically at this country’s auto shows since 2006.
In fact, Chinese cars are closer to the U.S. market than most people know. We traveled to Mexico City, where there are Chinese-branded, Chinese-manufactured vehicles in North America—and they’re making big impacts.
Over the past three years, nine Chinese automakers have set up shop in Mexico, and today their wares represent 9 percent of all passenger vehicles sold there. That’s remarkable when you consider that just four years ago, Chinese vehicles weren’t represented in Mexico’s market share at all. But giants like BYD, Chery, and SAIC Motors have established themselves south of our border, offering quality products at attractive prices.
LAST YEAR, GM AND FORD SAW CHINA SALES DECREASE BY 20 AND 33.5 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY.
“The Chinese are using Mexico as the segue to enter the U.S.,” César Roy, an automotive industry analyst in Mexico with more than 40 years of experience, said. With Mexico already playing such a critical role in North American car production, and with Chinese automakers promising plants throughout Mexico,
