Geely

Tags: Geely Detroit Auto Show NAIAS 2006 2006 North American International Auto Show

GEELY Holding Group, a private Chinese carmaker specializing in its own designs, said it will exhibit products at the annual North American International Auto Show in January 2006 in Detroit.

The move by Geely would put the first Chinese cars on display in the event's 98-year history, though another domestic automaker may not be far behind.

The Detroit foray follows Geely's pioneering debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show last September as the first Chinese participant in 108 years.

Geely has booked 900 square feet (84 square meters) of floor space in Detroit and will introduce several new economy models, which haven't even hit the domestic market, according to Zhang Xiaodong, spokesman for the Hangzhou-based company.

Geely Group Chairman Li Shufu said earlier that the company will use opportunity to conduct trial sales in the North American market to further its global strategic development.

Geely has sent four cars to the United States for Department of Transportation certification to gain a better understanding of technology and quality standards, according to Zhao Jie, president of Geely International Corp.

Other domestic automakers are also considering sending their products to international auto shows to gain better access to export markets.

Great Wall Automobile Group, China's leading private maker of trucks and pickups, is also applying to participate in the Detroit show.

"We have dispatched a group of people there with two sample models," said an official who asked to remain anonymous.

Great Wall, which aims to export as many vehicles as it sells domestically within two years, has shipped abroad 10,000 trucks since 2000, mainly to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America.

Among its international efforts, the company took part in the Bologna Auto Show in Italy as the only Chinese participants.