Chinese set for Motor Show?

Are the Chinese coming to town? That is the question the UK auto industry is asking, with London's British Motor Show only a couple of months away.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Oriental car firms have already made a big splash at domestic motor shows, such as this one in Shanghai

By Tom Johnston

18th April 2006

Oriental car builders have been making big news around the world, due to firms such as Geely, Nanjing and SAIC producing vehicles not only for their home country, but with an eye on the US and Europe.

And it is still hoped that some of China's big auto makers will make an appearance in the capital, especially Geely, which was the only Oriental marque to exhibit at January's Detroit Motor Show. "We're waiting to hear back from Geely," said a spokesman from the UK expo's organiser IMIE.

If Geely does make its UK debut at the ExCeL centre, its new LG-1 will take centre stage. After studying recent European top sellers, bosses have created a family car which offers a stronger package than any of its other models.

As with most big sellers in China, the Focus-sized LG-1 has only four doors, and Geely has concentrated on improving quality. Let's hope it's on display in London, so British fans can see how far the firm has come.