European importers are continuing their quest to bring cars built in China to Europe.
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According to Automotive News Europe, Dutch dealer Peter Bijvelds will distribute a Chinese SUV called Landwind in the Netherlands and other European markets starting in April.
Meanwhile, Dutch dealer group Autobinck Holding is close to signing an import deal with either Chery or Geely.
And Chinese automaker Chery and at least two European distributors are discussing European distribution contracts for imports of several Chery models.
The flurry of activity is prompted by an autumn deadline for European Union emission rules. If foreign car makers obtain homologation approval for a car design before October 1, they can sell cars meeting current Euro 3 emission levels in the EU until 2008. Cars certified after October must meet the tighter Euro 4 standards immediately.
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By GlobalDataIf Bijvelds is successful in selling the Landwind this spring, it would be the first Chinese vehicle officially distributed in Europe.
“We have signed an exclusive contract for 27 EU countries,” Bijvelds said.
Bijvelds does not have a dealer network in place, but is negotiating with three large Dutch dealer groups.
The Landwind is made by Jiangling Landwind Motor, a subsidiary of the Jiangling Motors Group based in Nanchang. The group is also a partner in JMC, a light commercial vehicle venture 30% owned by Ford Motor Co.
Dutch dealer group Autobinck Holding is close to an import deal with either Chery or Geely, two domestic Chinese automakers. Chery makes cheap sedans. Geely makes cheap compact cars.
Chery is still deciding whether it wants to appoint a single European distributor, national distributors in individual European markets or form joint ventures, said Henny van Dijk, vice president of Autobinck.
A Chery manager who asked not to be named confirmed that Autobinck is one of the European distributors that Chery is talking to.
Initially, Chery hoped to sign a contract with one of the companies by April or May.
“But now I think we will postpone the plan,” said the manager. “We want to concentrate on entry into the US market. We want to wait until we have time to study the European market more, and chose the distributor that is the strongest.”
Chery has signed a North America distribution agreement with Malcolm Bricklin’s Visionary Vehicles. It plans to export five models to the United States beginning in 2007.
