Chinese auto companies set sights on US, beyond

Four Chinese auto-industry companies that have established a presence in the US and Europe are aiming to become household names globally.

The companies are Shanghai-based NIO and other electric vehicles; Karma Automotive, an electric-vehicle maker based in Irvine, California, owned by Wanxiang Group in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province; Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, which makes parts for car interiors; and Sanhua Automotive, an auto-parts manufacturer.

Executives of the companies discussed the US market and their plans for future growth and expansion. They spoke at a session on Friday called the "China Genius Series"' at the Automotive News World Congress, held in conjunction with the 2019 North American International Auto Show (Jan 14-27).

"It's a global world. You cannot stop it mobility-wise,'' Jack Cheng, the CEO of XPT and co-founder of NIO, told China Daily. "There are so many good companies coming from China because China has the youngest generation and the most diversity. We welcome everyone.''

Cheng said his company's cars have "very European styling, a smart US mind, and a Chinese body and soul".

The 4-year-old NIO, which is being dubbed the "Chinese Tesla'', went public in New York last year. Nio's models include the EP9, which the company claims is one of the world's fastest electric cars. Its 1,360-horsepower engine propels it to 160 mph in 7.1 seconds. It will go on sale in China next year, and then around the world.

The ES8 — an upscale electric-battery three-row SUV positioned as a domestic Chinese alternative to Tesla's Model X — went into production in late June 2018. NIO will introduce a second mass-market model in June, the five-passenger SUV ES6. It's smaller than the ES8, with longer range and a lower price.

NIO also makes charging devices for cars and a smart device for inside a car called Nomi, which can take selfies and even close the roof if it starts to rain.

Boutique automaker Karma Automotive makes the Revero, a luxury sedan with a plug-in hybrid powertrain designed to allow it to operate solely on electric power most of the time.

"Karma will deliver luxury electric-vehicle strategies over the next five to 10 years. We will not be a mass production company. We will provide incubation technology in Southern California,'' said Lance Zhou, CEO of Karma.

Zhou said that he intends to keep the cars luxurious and bespoke and focus on selling them in the US and then European and Chinese markets.

"In my mind, we are a global company located in Southern California," he said.

During the auto show, Zhou announced a partnership with Pininfarina, the Italian design firm that has shaped some of history's best-looking cars. He said the partnership will speed up his company's product development and customization options.

Zhou said Karma also has chosen to sell through dealers and not online. Karma has at least 15 franchise dealerships throughout America and Canada. He said one-to-one service helps the company better serve its customers, whom he described as "VVIP" — very, very important people.

Tiger Lou, president of Sanhua Automotive, said that his company focuses on "smart thermal management'', products that help regulate the temperature in vehicles.

The parts maker said it has achieved more than 7 percent annual sales growth over 10 years. It works with major auto companies, including General Motors, Ford, Tesla, BMW and Audi, and opened its North American automotive technical center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, in June 2017. The company is based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and has 2,000 employees worldwide.

Shanghai-headquartered Yanfeng Automotive Interiors' products include instrument and door panels, floor consoles and smart technologies. Its North American technical center is in Holland, Michigan.

Yanfeng will release a new product on Wednesday, the XIM20, an autonomous ride-share interior concept.

Contact the writer at belindarobinson@chinadailyusa.com