Listen NtSD,
I’m not sure why you are so surprised.

The Chinese have the cash and they need the brand names.

Other than Lenovo can anybody name a worldwide mainland Chinese brand?

Brand power is very valuable, otherwise they are just the low cost, thin margin manufacturer

I’m surprised there hasn’t been more Chinese acquisitions to date. More will surely follow. Key question is will the Chinese be able to maintain the brand.

The typical Hummer owner (or at least stereotypical) is a type A male with bit excess testosterone perhaps leaning conservative. He may have Rush Limbaugh set permananently on the radio. Will he buy a Chinese car? IMHO, a resounding NO. That is why Hummer will be out of business within 24 months (at least in US market). That is if the acquisition even goes through, it is not a done deal.

Tata is an Indian conglomerate very well known and respected, they are sorta the GE of India, but even more diversified. Interesting how the former British colony now owns iconic British brands Land Rover, Jaguar (they haven’t been British for a while, Ford owned them last few years.)

BMWs and Audis have production facilities in China now. You see black Audis all over China now, primarily for domestic China market, but they plan to export to the US market. In 2013 that shiny 3- 5 series BMW in your driveway may be Chinese made.

The Porsche and Volkswagon collaboration has gone back for years with various stages and levels of cross ownership.

Why the surprise NewtoSD? You should read some business news occasionally

Bubblesitter

Listen NtSD,
I’m not sure why you are so surprised.

The Chinese have the cash and they need the brand names.

Other than Lenovo can anybody name a worldwide mainland Chinese brand?

Brand power is very valuable, otherwise they are just the low cost, thin margin manufacturer

I’m surprised there hasn’t been more Chinese acquisitions to date. More will surely follow. Key question is will the Chinese be able to maintain the brand.

The typical Hummer owner (or at least stereotypical) is a type A male with bit excess testosterone perhaps leaning conservative. He may have Rush Limbaugh set permananently on the radio. Will he buy a Chinese car? IMHO, a resounding NO. That is why Hummer will be out of business within 24 months (at least in US market). That is if the acquisition even goes through, it is not a done deal.

Tata is an Indian conglomerate very well known and respected, they are sorta the GE of India, but even more diversified. Interesting how the former British colony now owns iconic British brands Land Rover, Jaguar (they haven’t been British for a while, Ford owned them last few years.)

BMWs and Audis have production facilities in China now. You see black Audis all over China now, primarily for domestic China market, but they plan to export to the US market. In 2013 that shiny 3- 5 series BMW in your driveway may be Chinese made.

The Porsche and Volkswagon collaboration has gone back for years with various stages and levels of cross ownership.

Why the surprise NewtoSD? You should read some business news occasionally

Bubblesitter

Listen NtSD,
I’m not sure why you are so surprised.

The Chinese have the cash and they need the brand names.

Other than Lenovo can anybody name a worldwide mainland Chinese brand?

Brand power is very valuable, otherwise they are just the low cost, thin margin manufacturer

I’m surprised there hasn’t been more Chinese acquisitions to date. More will surely follow. Key question is will the Chinese be able to maintain the brand.

The typical Hummer owner (or at least stereotypical) is a type A male with bit excess testosterone perhaps leaning conservative. He may have Rush Limbaugh set permananently on the radio. Will he buy a Chinese car? IMHO, a resounding NO. That is why Hummer will be out of business within 24 months (at least in US market). That is if the acquisition even goes through, it is not a done deal.

Tata is an Indian conglomerate very well known and respected, they are sorta the GE of India, but even more diversified. Interesting how the former British colony now owns iconic British brands Land Rover, Jaguar (they haven’t been British for a while, Ford owned them last few years.)

BMWs and Audis have production facilities in China now. You see black Audis all over China now, primarily for domestic China market, but they plan to export to the US market. In 2013 that shiny 3- 5 series BMW in your driveway may be Chinese made.

The Porsche and Volkswagon collaboration has gone back for years with various stages and levels of cross ownership.

Why the surprise NewtoSD? You should read some business news occasionally

Bubblesitter

[quote=Bubblesitter]

The typical Hummer owner (or at least stereotypical) is a type A male with bit excess testosterone perhaps leaning conservative. He may have Rush Limbaugh set permananently on the radio. Will he buy a Chinese car? IMHO, a resounding NO. That is why Hummer will be out of business within 24 months (at least in US market). That is if the acquisition even goes through, it is not a done deal. [/quote]

I think that you’re wrong. ’em tough guys in the Heartland who are worried about ’em furiners taking over America are shopping at Wal-Mart buying stuff from China as we speak.

[quote=Bubblesitter]

The typical Hummer owner (or at least stereotypical) is a type A male with bit excess testosterone perhaps leaning conservative. He may have Rush Limbaugh set permananently on the radio. Will he buy a Chinese car? IMHO, a resounding NO. That is why Hummer will be out of business within 24 months (at least in US market). That is if the acquisition even goes through, it is not a done deal. [/quote]

I think that you’re wrong. ’em tough guys in the Heartland who are worried about ’em furiners taking over America are shopping at Wal-Mart buying stuff from China as we speak.

[quote=Bubblesitter]
The Chinese have the cash and they need the brand names.

Other than Lenovo can anybody name a worldwide mainland Chinese brand? [/quote]

Haier.

If you include Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, you have many other brands — Acer, HTC, Vizio, etc..

Acer is a very interesting case. Their computer brand didn’t do so well in the 80s so they concentrated on contract manufacturing. But now they own Gateway.

I’m betting that Acer will surpass Dell which will slowly have to close all of their vaunted just-in-time US manufacturing plants.

Brands are less important than they used to be in my opinion. Consumers are not so brand loyal these days.

[quote=Bubblesitter]
The Chinese have the cash and they need the brand names.

Other than Lenovo can anybody name a worldwide mainland Chinese brand? [/quote]

Haier.

If you include Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, you have many other brands — Acer, HTC, Vizio, etc..

Acer is a very interesting case. Their computer brand didn’t do so well in the 80s so they concentrated on contract manufacturing. But now they own Gateway.

I’m betting that Acer will surpass Dell which will slowly have to close all of their vaunted just-in-time US manufacturing plants.

Brands are less important than they used to be in my opinion. Consumers are not so brand loyal these days.