First Chinese car to arrive in October
18 Jun, 2008
70 Comments 
The time has come, Chinese made cars are now only a few months away from entering Australian markets. The distributor, Ateco Automotive (better known for brands such as Fiat/ Ferrari and Alfa Romeo) will import the first of many Chinese cars to Australia and New Zealand in October of this year.
The announcement comes as a surprise as previously we were told there would be no Chinese cars in Australia till at least 2009. According to Ateco negotiations have been going on for almost three years.
The first Chinese car to arrive in Australia will be from GWM (Great Wall Motor) and come in a form of a double can Ute. Ateco says the car will be priced “well under $20,000 in both Australia and New Zealand”.
“The GWM double cab Ute will be just the start,” says Ric Hull, Managing Director, Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd. “The Ute will be followed soon after with a single cab Ute, a compact SUV and an entry level light car. Pricing will be comparable to similar Korean models with a significantly higher specification.”
GMW is a well known manufacturer in China, with most of its success coming in the form of Ute and SUV models. Ateco also has a deal with rival Cherry automotive as mentioned previously.
Before October, Ateco aims to have at least 50 dealers across Australia. The campaign will be lead by David Stone, the man who is credited with setting up the Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia networks.
New Zealand and Australia will share the same product range, although New Zealand will only have five or six dealers at launch.
What should we expect from the Chinese hopefuls? If they are anything like the Indian made Mahindra Ute we drove last year, we might be a little disappointed, however Ateco has high hopes.
“From day one we have been thoroughly impressed with GWM. World class production facilities are becoming commonplace in China and there is no doubt that GWM has set the production benchmark. But what sets GWM apart is the corporate culture that permeates through the organisation.
The company motto is ‘Improving little by little every day’ and from what we have seen the staff really do live and breathe this philosophy. Every time we go to GWM’s head office in Baoding, we are impressed by the progress that has been made since our last visit.”
Ateco will announce full pricing and specification details before the brand goes on sale in October.
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June 18th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Ok so D22 Navara front, Rodeo Doors and Rodeo rear tray?? How is this aloud in Australia with our copyright laws.
Vote:How can Ateco add this to their portfolio of DESIRABLE cars.
Is it GWM’s own product (direct rip off) or is it a joint venture with Nissan/Isuzu/GM??
June 18th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
eithe they have bought the rights to the old model rodeo, same as how proton bought the rights to old mitsubishi lancers, and just wacked a navara front on it.. or its a very strange car to chose to copy off.. that model rodeo was never very popular…
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
No different than Proton selling re-badged mitsu’s for the first couple of years.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Vile.
You beat me to it, Alec. Is this the zero-star crash safety Rodeo-copy shitbox that had to be withdrawn from sale in Europe, because it folded like an alfoil can?
Is putting a Navara front end on it going to change things?
Richo, the Chinese haven’t bought the copyright to anything, as far as I know. They’ve made the VW Passat sedan there for donkeys years as the VW Santana, but that’s different.
Chery make a Daewoo Matiz rip-off that’s so close, they even copied the mistakes such as unused bolt holes etc. GM claimed they made a working Frankenstein hybrid of their Daewoo Matiz and a Chery, yet they still lost the court battle. They also claimed that the car submitted for crash testing was a cosmetically doctored Daewoo, rather than the Chery.
Scary, vile, hideous, revolting stuff.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
the difference with proton Fenno is the technology/jigs/licenses were paid for.
Cant wait for the ANCAP results
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
How many stars is this, one?
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The paint on the doors doesn’t even match!!
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hi Fenno. I think it is a bit different to that. Building stuff under licence isn’t a problem. Buying the engines, suspensions and unwanted panel dies and pressing equipment from Mitsubishi to pump out new-model Protons isn’t a problem, either, assuming something like that took place.
But Wanton Copying (ha ha, I just made a joke!!! Geddit??? WANTONS!!!) without the investment in engineering and crash safety sucks, and they’re getting away with it.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Pricing will be comparable to similar Korean models with a significantly higher specification.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Damn, I’ve just ordered a Golf GTI – I didn’t know I could get two of these high quality, high spec, modern styled items instead…..Will I always wonder if I made the right choice????
At least now all the Korean Bashers will have a new (and justifiable) target.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
The more of these on the road the better it is for me!
Imagine being in a car accident with one of these things, your car would be untouched whereas these things will be crumpled up balls of twisted metal :)
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
“Free Funeral Plan with every purchase, Buy today and you get two Pall-bearers included! All for the low price of 14,999″
And Reckless, how much did you get that GTi for? Im tossing up for one a few months back (with sunroof and leather) and they said 55,000.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Sadly people willingly take up smoking even though it kills them. Now the same type of people will buy Chinese cars. I doubt this will rate higher than 1 star in safety. These companies are morally bankrupt enough to blatantly steal others designs, therefore I seriously doubt safety is a concern for them.
Vote:I feel sorry for the poor people who are in one of these tin cans when they crash, especially for those who willingly purchased one. A Darwin award should be named in their memory.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Seeing as how ATECO is the distributor, will these also cop their seemingly standard surchage, which puts them above the market they should be in?
Think Alfa here.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
“…when the giant awakens the world will tremble”
Hate to be the dissenter here but copying styling happens all the time in the car world – perhaps not so blatantly as this but it happens.
Ok they will struggle to rate a star for crash safety, but as they get better at copying they’ll get to 5 soon enough. Put things into perspective folks : are these cars really any more dangerous than riding a motor cycle?
Today tonight will no doubt run a series of death trap stories, exporting our jobs stories, my Great Wall’s wing mirror fell off….and whip the public into an anti Chinese euphoria…
But it won’t change the fact that this is just the beginning. People want to pay less for cars. They will be bought.
Lets also not forget the fact that over history the Chinese have been one of if not the most innovative & inventive races in the world – leave Australia for dead in those stakes.
OK the ethics of jump starting your program on the back of others designs is dubious, but they will be introducing industry first innovatons before too long.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
and the japanese didnt copy anything did they
Vote:and Toyota didnt get technology for thier Hybrids in a VERY dark way either, oh thats right they did eventually have to pay for that – only when teh courts told them too
June 18th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Looking forward to reading the poorly worded/spelt Manual :)
“To initialise engine start ignition, rotate metallic piece hemispherical right in connector on reigns control”
I wonder if the service department will work for 20 Cents an hour?
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Andy,
Your price looks like full retail for a 5door DSG with Leather, Park sensors, Sat Nav, Sunroof.
You should be able to get 8% off the price of the base car, and cut the DD from $2495 down to $1000. That will chop off nearly $5000
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I can’t see why someone would buy these coffins over a good, used car. I mean there are plenty of quality useds cars out there, for less than the prices of these, that are safer and better built.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Priced right these things will sell by the shipload, notwithstanding crashworthiness or overall build quality.
Think TK Barina people.
I’ll reserve judgment until it’s been NCAP tested and reviewed by local media such as Car Advice.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hopefully Krudd’s mob just stop these things from coming into the country altogether! Wishful thinking…
NCAP testing? What NCAP testing!!! These things don’t even rate whatsoever in crash testing! Instead of star symbols, there’ll be crossbone symbols for these buckets.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I bet half the people’s comments above are from people that drive a Taurus or a Lada. Think about the competitive market we are in, for alot of traides this looks like a great alternative to the norm. It offers (obviously from the styling, the looks of the leading Utes in Australia) and value for money. ANCAP? I dont think the target market for this type of vehicle are concerned about the type of seatbelts of curtain airbags. Peace out
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Why do copyright cops raid shops and markets looking for bootleg movies and illegal music copies YET these Chinese cars are allowed to be sold here and get away with this blatant copying without prosecution????
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
The test results haven’t been released, have they? If not, why is everyone jumping up and down about something that hasn’t happened?
The more choice consumers have the better and if they achieve nothing other than bringing the price of other makes down to a reasonable level then bring it on. We have been so ripped off for so long re vehicle prices here more competition is a good thing.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I agree with Carl. Where is the copy protection?
Vote:New cars introduced into Australia that are cheap & nasty generally don’t sell very well. I think I read recently that Holden sold 43 Epica’s in one month.
Buyers will stay away from these cars as they will surely have plenty of warranty issues & when they pull out of Oz in 4 or 5 years because they are loosing money, people they will be stuck with a badly made car, that is worth nothing, that nobody wants.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Pablo
I bet thats exactly what Holden and Ford said about the arrival of the Japanese cars 30-40 years ago.
and again about Hyundai/Kia etc 20 years ago.
difference this time is the Chinese won’t be too proud to copy the best – so will get there on quality in no time at all.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Did anyone notice the interior, which also looks remarkeably like the current RA-series Rodeo? I know there are no interior shots here but I have seen one on another motoring website to have broken the story.
I suppose the good thing is that old Rodeo owners will be able to get a nicer looking set of tail lights after these things are written off or break down..
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
OH PLEASE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I recomend nobody to buy one untill we know what the ANCAP will be! At the moment I say it will be POOR. I’d never buy one! What bloody copy cats are the darn chinese! Old Navarna front and Old Rodeo side and tray. People will be confused while it’s driving down the highway and asking “Is that the old rodeo or Narvana?” “I’M CONFUSED!!!!!”.
I’d rather have a SangYong Actoyn Ute!
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
^Can you send us a link of the interior? So I can have a look and comment on it. Please.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
If you think about it if this does get a bad repetation or ANCAP crash rating in Australia, people may be turned off to buy a older Narvana Ute or Rodeo because they look similar and some people aren’t into cars and can’t tell the minor details.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
CHINESE MADE IS CRAP.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I wonder how long before the electricals fail and the headlights blow up… say 2-3 weeks?
So obviously these would have to be ADR compliant, right? Sorry I dont know what the ADR standards are?
I bet the chrome on the rear view mirrors wont last even a week and start peeling off!
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
^It’s probably not chrome. I’d say it is plastic.
And when Korean cars come here we were shocked, but not really now. But the Chinese, we’ll always be scared and shocked!
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Marketmaker,
Vote:I know Chinese manufacturing standards are improving all the time so your point is valid.
Something about this whole process of copying car designs then making them cheaper than the original manufacturer just doesn’t feel right.
I still wouldn’t buy one…
June 18th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Does anybody see the downside of this, the more cheaper cars on the market, the more people buy cars, more congestion. Also if sells all too well, god forbid the world car makers will ease of spending on innovation and design because.. hey if a car that is a copy of an old model can sell like hotcakes why should we spend so much to introduce something new, when we can just bandaid the current model and sell it cheaper whilst calling it a new car..
I think pricing in Aus is on par with the demand and road infrastructure capacity.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Our country(and culture)are slowly slipping away.If these cars take off in oz,(because of there price) it will only bring our standards down.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
People seem to have no clue about safety… crumpling up aint a bad thing, cars do have crumple zones… what you dont want is the cabin area crumpling
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Reckless,
Yeah, it was but without the Satnav. I simply couldnt justify it back then so got a Mondeo instead. Had it been 45ish -48 max, I would be Perth’s latest VW hoon. Couldnt forget the wheelspin I had getting out of the dealership, must’ve given the principal a heart attack.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’m pretty sure the whole car is going to be a crumple zone including your face.
However I don’t think that Ateco is silly enough to think that these will over take the corolla or commodore in sales. So even with the measly sales that these things do achieve it’llbe enough for them to turn a profit and stay in Aust.
And as other said, tradies arn’t too concerned with safety. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t a recent Rodeo model have really poor sfety rating, and the Navara aslo have poor rating due to Airbag malfunction?
(hehe, thats exactly the two cars the ute is based on)
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Pricing will be comparable to similar Korean models with a significantly higher specification.
LOL This made me laugh also.
They should be priced way under the Korean models if they want to sell them.
Remember the Excel when it first entered Australia? Cheapest car in Australia if I’m not mistaken.
The Chinese will have to start low and hope to work their way up like Hyundai/KIA after many many years.
If they price their cars at the same price as a Hyundai and a KIA and expect to sell them they are dreaming.
I don’t see a market for these cars unless they have a $10,000 to 12,000 Base model which will attract the first time car buyer and the dumb people that wont buy a better second hand car for a similar price.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
With respect to the comments about potential copyright infringement:
The Copyright Act 1968 Cth only applies to:
Literary, Dramatical, Musical or Artistic, or Sound recordings, films, broadcasts and published editions.
So yeah, there’s nothing in there that would prevent the imitation of cars.
I think the one consolation of this particular brand selling in Australia is that the types of cars they are selling are inherently safer (4×4 or SUV etc) because they are bigger overall. It takes much more technology to make a safe small car (think smart car) than it would be for a safe large car.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Yay, it looks like some one cross bred the previous generation Rodeo with a D22 Navara… I bet it is nowhere near as reliable as the Japanese stuff.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Just think of the worst gut wrenching, vomit inducing chinese take-away you have ever had and then put yourself in one of these…..
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I will give the car a try. I will wait for the crash test result and test drive the car by myself before making any rational comments. I believe real experience is more accurate than perception.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Shame on anyone who buys one of these POS cars. Im going to carry a dozen eggs everywhere i go. As soon as i see one of these, owner beware!
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Nobody liked my Wanton joke. Sob. Tissues, please.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I actually think that Nissan are still making the navara with those headlights as it has just been updated.
Also in Townsville you can pick up a Brand new Mahindra Pick up from the car dealer about 1k down from ford and holden. So Chinese cars have already made it to our market ( Sadly)
I saw one of these pick ups on the road the other day and i have to say it already looks 20 or 30 years old with all the wierd body panels and dated looks.
Vote:June 18th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
^^^ OOps my bad they are actually made in india but geez doesnt change the fact they are ugly. lol
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 1:33 am
When comes to shopping, you don’t always have a choice. If the girls get pregnant for 4000 dollars baby bonus, do they really have any choice?
Vote:Anything will sell, but to different group of people.
Anyway the Chinese cars will not be that bad at all. And they will improve FAST! It is better than Aussie. Which brand is truely Aussie?? Holden is bloody Opel for god’s sake and cheap Dawoo failing the market test already!
90% people died because of drink driving or fatigue or speeding if you watch Serious Crash Unit. They kill themselves, not the cars kill them.
June 19th, 2008 at 4:06 am
@ $15k it will sell well, $20k is to much, the Japanese can lower prices if need be.They lowered the price of the Echo when Hyundai started to shift heaps of Accents.
ATECO know how to sell, its game on, will bring the RRP of the others down, thats the best thing about competition.
It will be better quality than the Mahindra but not the level of the Japanese, lets wait and see, its all about features and price.
Cheers
F-0
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I agree they may poor quality now but give the Chinese manufacturers a few years and they will turn out comparable stuff.
Vote:Take a walk around your house and count how mnay items are now made in China. A few years ago, even Japanese made stuff was not up to par, then it was the Koreans etc. Look at the components for computers, look at household products and white goods. Sure, a lot of them are manufactured and re-badged but the technology exists to build good quality, not state of the art but priced accordingly.
I would not buy the first generation cars but give them time and they will improve. The Hyundai is a celar example of the improvements from being cheap and cheerful to good quality
June 19th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Maxrob, I would rather them improve first than bring it out here not bring out then improve because thats worse for both consumers and the brand of the company if these cars rate way too poorly and this goes to any product.
Competition is good when there the infrastructure to support them supports the demand for them, unfortunately our cities are getting too clogged up with cars. My neighbours if you average it our have at least 3 cars with one neighbour having 6!.
With these cars in the market I would love to see the second-hand market as a result, its going to be extra flooded.
IMO if your poor and living of ends meat, your more susceptable to default on loans etc because you have less things to sacrifice to counter any interest hike or change in income. Such cars can bring impulse to those people and lead to this way.
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Your all racist, look at the tags on the clothes you dress your children in, Made in China. Look at where the parts are from that are assembled in the new Commodore, Falcon, Aurion, Corolla…. Made in China.
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Well said Chris dont forget 80% of the Australian adult population didnot go to High School??.The braindead,stupid rednecks have really come out to comment on this review.
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
The interest in the Wingle has been to Toowoomba agfest. People are interested in place of their Toyota Hilux dual cab 2004 models. Looks slightly like the Landrover Defender in front [possibly great to avoid grass entry into the grille in offroad use?] How does one obtain a contact phone number a supplier for these vehicles??
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Chris Tucker Says…………..
“Your all racist, look at the tags on the clothes you dress your children in, Made in China. Look at where the parts are from that are assembled in the new Commodore, Falcon, Aurion, Corolla…. Made in China.”
How are we all racist? We know for a fact Chinese cars are not known for reliabilty and safety thats all the same with the russian car Lada. Imagine if they made a return to Oz! SCARY! It’s just hard to take it in, thats all. By the way, also comparing cars to clothes is completely different! A car is safety and relaibilty not like clothes.
Vote:June 19th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Pays yer money takes yer choice folks – Can’t say better than that. However if cheapskate employers buy these as a cheap alternative to current vehicles it could be construed as being unsafe. Safety testing results need to be indentified.
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 12:16 am
I beg to differ on the clothes Duck, I think it does need realibility lol, I expect my pants not to rip round my crotch when I bend! and people can be traumatised for life too haha!
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Why arguing with these people? They keep laughing at Chinese-made cars or products, while on the other hand, being “forced” to use Chinese-made products in their homes, such as the computer and keyboard they used to post the above ridiculous comments. What a psychological loser!
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
chinese make crap.
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Agree u can only buy made in china and it is still crap!
multi nationals decide where shit is made chasing higher profits. 20 years time EVERYTHING will be made in china!
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
stating the obvious makes me a racist?
50 years time we will all be speaking Chinese. Kevin was on the money learning Chinese.
Capitalist system of western countries will not be able to compete given Communist regime can treat it’s people like shit. Pretty simple really.
Chinese have the Yanks worried look at Guam as an example with all the build up pointing at China.
If u buy this shit you are supporting a regime that runs over it’s own people with tanks!
Heard of China A and China B? 200 to 300 million people living out of clints bags under horrendous conditions etc often not even paid at the end of their tenure.
…and u call me a racist u idiot!!!!!
Vote:June 20th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Surely it won’t be that model pictured, that will be laughed off the streets- Why does it have NSW registration?
Vote:A sub $15k dual cab would make people stop and take notice,although anything north of that for this absurd abortion will see the whole Chinese car movement fail( which I hope happens. we have enough here as it is).
Imagine pulling up to the worksite in this POS, and parking next to new Tritons , Rangers, Hiluxes, Navaras and even a Proton Jumbuck would embarras it.
As for ANCAP, WGAF. The likelyhood of crashing is too remote to hinge such a decision soley on safety- unless you have a family.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am
To Realcar, you are the prime example of those China-haters in the west, who fear the rise of China and its growing influence. You fear because your once ‘superior’ feeling over China or other developing countries is being seriously challenged, because products from China and other developing countries are catching up. You can not stop the trend that China in one day will dominate the world. I reckon this car forum is your last chance to bashing Chinese products and show us your desperation. You indeed are racist.
Vote:June 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am
Realcars asks people to stop buying ‘shit”. Ok, let us ask him to start the action and clean up everything made in China in his place. I bet he will eat his words, because if he really does so, he will end up with no cloth to wear, no TV to watch, no bed to sleep, no mobile phone to use, no computer to post his irrational comments. How ironic!
Vote:June 21st, 2008 at 10:33 am
^Ha! I’ve got a Korean TV so I’m lucky! :)
Vote:June 21st, 2008 at 11:31 am
Duck, you might be not that ‘lucky’. Your TV might be a Korean brand, but all its components are made in China and the whole TV is assembled in China. Just have a look at the label at the rear of your TV. Is it ‘MADE IN CHINA”?
Vote:June 21st, 2008 at 10:02 pm
If it retailed for say $14,990 with a Hyundai type warranty it will sell well. As previously stated poor crash rating is actually no worse than riding a Motorcycle.
Vote:I BET it will be no worse in quality than the series 1, 2.6 Litre TF Holden Rodeo. They were tough (mine did 480,000km) but were still generally a heap ‘o’ crap compared to the Toymota Hilux.
June 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Hmmm, I wonder if all the components will all have that little gold sticker that reads, ‘Made in China’
Vote:September 8th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Well.. Give them some time.. They only be in this business for about ten years.. We will see what later they can provide.. But i bet one day these chinese makers will somehow beat malay makers.. Malay Maker = Malaysia = Proton launched at 1985.. Few of my Malaysia friends brough the Proton Gen-2 at the same time, same dealer at same place. After two months sold them off. Told me that within two months went into service center for about 7 times thanks to the quality and finishing issues with 7 different problems including interior fitting problem, ABS stop function after about 1k trip, poor quality door handle that broken after one month. There was a news by my friend a Gen-2 burned into ashes after few day received from the dealer. Pity Malaysia to have that kind of makers in their land and forced to buy them.. (Malaysia have insane taxes for imported cars to protect Proton… Small car like Kia Rio priced at RM(Ringgit Malaysia”)80000. Currency rate US dollar 1 = RM 3.20 . Making Rio 25k US dollar WITHOUT ABS, SIDE AIRBAG, PRETENTIONERS, LOAD LIMITERS and much more equiqment.. Leaving only Driver airbag..) Pity them..
Vote:June 28th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
My first time i have read this section It really is wankers page why didnt you really buy the Golf Gti have you guys been to a automotive factory “ Go and look at China almost everything you use is built in China even if you dont know it you proably wear Ralph loren and check yourself in the mirror made in!!!!! tossa alert on these pages Davo
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