LexFather

China is the second largest automotive market in the world and is expected to exceed the US and become the largest car market by 2020. While all the auto makers are rushing over to increase production in China, some have had tremendous success while some have failed miserably.

Take the Acura TL for instance. With its huge success in the American market, Honda thoguht it would be wise to sell the car in China. Unfortunatley, since its launch last September, the Acura TL has sold less than 200 units during the first six months of 2007.

Click through for the list of the Top 10 Most Unpopular Cars in China.

Top 10 Most Unpopular Cars in China (with sales figure during first half of 2007):

1. Acura TL: Less than 200
2. Mitsubishi Galant: 4,062
3. Fiat Perla: around 2,000
4. Kia Rio: 4,996
5. FAW Vitz: 904
6. Suzuki Liana: 5,416
7. Hyundai Sonata: 7,808
8. Ford S-Max: 2,260
9. Toyota Prius: 176
10. GM Park Avenue: 934

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...26/056316.html

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

And we care about what china's most unpopular car there because....?

Those cars probably dont sell well because China's brand are cranking out replicas for dirt cheap, just like most other things they produce

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

I'd love to see a replica Kia.... hehe.

marshmallo

They must be confusing the car with the RL.

In all seriousness, it's probably just too large physically and too
powerful a FWD car that has no appeal there. Maybe the styling
also does not suit their tastes.

GS69

I know that historically, there has been much animosity towards the Japanese for their past actions {this still plays out in sporting events which could make next year's Olympics interesting}; I wonder if it affects any part of car sales.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

well this is the reason my grandpa only buys german cars, but hes fillipino

Seadee456

Chinese people in China tend to like American and German cars, not so much Japanese. In the US on the other hand, almost every Chinese person has a Japanese car.

Lexmex

Galant doesn't sell too well here in Mexico either. In fact in the city I live in, the police force negotiated a good deal with Mitsubishi for some Galants to replace their Nissan Tsurus (early 90s Sentra design).

mmarshall

The Chinese auto market is nothing new on CAR CHAT. We have been discussing it for months. This rapidly growing market....and its demand for oil.... is one of the main factors behind today's relatively high gas prices, even though they are down from just a few months ago.

I don't see anything wrong with 1SICKLEX posting a thread about which cars are popular or unpopular there, or us talking about it.

In fact, when Chinese-designed and Chinese-built cars become available HERE in the U.S. shortly, they are top priority on my review list......I am very anxious to see for myself how well.....or how poorly......they are engineered and built. If they can offer a halfway decent product or dealer service for the $7000-$9000 they are rumored to start at, they will appeal to a LOT of people with very low incomes.....even more than Hyundai and Kia.

leedogg

Or it could be the fact that the TL was initially priced at 800,000 Yuan Renminbi ($105,242 US), but the above could still be true if their hatred of the japs caused them to slap some crazy tax on it...

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Too large? BMW 7s and Benz Ss are the most comment car in my city.
the road maybe smaller, but they drive big cars...

leedogg

That list is not in the right order by the way...the Prius is apparantly the most 'unpopular' car.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

lets see how safe it is lol

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

and do you know the least car in China is pickup Trucks? Or truck doesn't consider cars..
In China, pickup is very limited and it is very unlikely to see them in Cities. They think Pickup trucks are only for farmers.

I was telling my friend in China that I want a Truck, and guess what, I got laughed at big time!

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Yea, but those are the ultra rich. I bet half of us here on CL can't afford 7 and S class cars and I bet we make a lot more than the common Chinese worker.