I remember reading a book once that explained the reasoning for this was the Chinese language doesn't really allow for creation / introduction of new concepts - as it was put "they are a prisioner of their own language.."

Of course, I would love to learn Mandarin to verify this someday...

rjp

My high school was about 1/5th Korean nationals who boarded at the school. They were immensely talented in just about anything. Some were national competitors in art competitions. Others were doing independent studies in calculus because they were too advanced for the calculus class. Either they're naturally talented, our school received exceptionally motivated and talented students, or they have a head start through better primary education. Most were exceedingly wealthy (Armani was a hit with them), I'm sure they received the best primary education that could be found.

China isn't Korea, but they're both East Asian...

I've always been of the opinion that the Chinese and Japanese are great at improving upon existing technology, rather than development.

I think the reason for the re-hash of proven designs has more to do with the age of the automotive industry in China. GM, VW and others have had plants in China for a number of years, but the industry is growing. Last year's designs are proven, tried, tested and true. Remember the Lada? It was a Russian remake of a Fiat. They just picked up the factory tooling and set it up in a new factory when Fiat went to new technology. In the same vein, the Romanians built the Dacia, a lock, stock and barrel copy of the Renauly 12, to try to get their car industry off the ground. The Indians went through the same thing with remakes of British designs, etc. etc.
The Chinese don't have to design all new cars from the ground up. They don't have the expertise yet and their market doesn't demand it. First, they will build their industry, making copies and making changes as needed. Like the Koreans do now and Japanese did in the 70s, they will use their low wage rate to fill Walmart parking lots. If any North Americans have a job and enough money to buy cars.
Les

Wally World may get into selling cars with the Geely. Will they call it the Wally, or the Sammy with their own label?

Of course, we must remember that BMW has already built a plant in China, with capacity to export cars to the far east to meet demand there.

Also, in 2003, China consumed about 40% of the world cement output for highway construction, meaning they're moving along toward a type of capitalist economy.

It ain't over till it's over. I'm not buying that until the communists are forced out.

It must be Hyundai and Kia that are worried the most. As this new car is positioned and priced to compete with them. As with most imports from China, most of the stuff we are buying from them would be made outside of the USA anyway. It is the Mexicos, Thailands & Koreas of this world that are forced to compete with China.
As for the Geely, I would rather pay the difference and get a new Corolla.

So, if that happens (not likely since they're no longer communists now, they're fascists) you're going to buy one of these little, um, jewels?

Why? Like the Hyundai, and other pipsqueek minimalist cars; only those that just want transportation from point A to point B without walking or riding a bicycle will buy them. You own a Porsche, you'll never buy one of these things. If you want cheap, buy a used BMW.

Yes, and what really happened is capitalists sold them the rope, they realized how much better the rope was than their communist rope, they then wanted more fine rope; and the rest is becoming history.

....and Boston isn't Biloxi.

When I was in grad school, I was one of 4 Americans, all the others were from Asia or the Middle East. Any of the students that do make it over here do very well because they represent the top percentage of their population.

Korea is very different than China in more respects than it is similar. The same can be said for Japan as well. People thing the Middle beast is pretty far away from the US, China is prehaps the true dipole moment to the US in almost every respect. If that country ever became fractioned or got really pissed at us, our world would crumble quickly. It would make any middle eastern turmoil look like a playground scuffle.

Nope. My posts in other threads indicate that I'd prefer to buy American for a family car...meaning a car built here by a company with their HQ here. A fun car like the Porsche can be from anywhere, though.

ok, one thing at least, when this Geely comes out, more americans can pull their heads out of their butts and realize that asia is made up of a bunch of different countries. china, japan and korea is not the same thing. nothing chaps my butt more than some map/globe-less fool asking me what is the difference between japan and china.

china is behind in respect to the arts because they just opened the doors recently (relatively) to the rest of the world. they were very interested in keeping western culture from polluting their idea. some sort of cultural cleansing. as far as the Geely, no way. as far as i am concerned the KIA just got bumped up the car pecking order.