FCA Set to Help the Guangzhou Automobile Group Bring Its Trumpchi Brand to America
You can’t stump the Trumpchi
Photo:El monty
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China is currently the largest automotive market in the world, due in part to the fact that it is the most populated country in the world. Despite this, you often won’t find all that many Chinese car brands sold in markets outside of China, and this is especially true in the U.S.
That might be about to change soon, as Fiat Chrysler’s partnership with the Chinese-based Guangzhou Automobile Group is helping the latter introduce its Trumpchi brand to the American automotive market.
Before you ask, the Trumpchi name is in no way associated with current U.S. President Donald Trump. Rather, it is reportedly derived from the brand’s Chinese name, “Chuanqi,” which means “legendary.” Why the name didn’t carry over into the American market isn’t exactly clear.
Plans are already in motion to export the first Trumpchi SUV to the U.S. market in 2019. If its first Trumpchi model is a success, Guangzhou Automobile Group plans to release more Trumpchi models in the immediate future.
The Trumpchi brand performs very well in China. Still, transferring that success to the U.S. is no simple task, which is where FCA and Guangzhou’s other manufacturing partners, like Toyota and Honda, come into play.
“We are very satisfied with our cooperation with FCA,” explains Guangzhou Automobile President Feng Xingya. “Shareholders of both companies are exploring ways to expand the scope of cooperation.”
While FCA might help bring Trumpchi vehicles to the U.S., the Guangzhou Automobile Group has already brought Jeep to China
Currently, Guangzhou Automobile manufactures both Jeep and Fiat models in China. Sales for these vehicles increased to 146,439 units last year.
Meanwhile, Guangzhou would like to see its sales success spread to the American automotive market by 2020. “Making our company a global player is a very important breakthrough for us in our five-year plan,” says Feng Xingya. “The U.S. market is very important to Guangzhou Automobile.”
News Source: Bloomberg
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