Straightline

Last year the Chinese automaker Geely tiptoed into the Detroit auto show with a small and short-lived display. This year expect to see three Chinese automakers set up displays in Cobo Hall. You can be sure automakers from around the world will be watching this closely, as China is quickly developing their auto industry. It's just a matter of time before they become a player in the world market.

Snippet: Geely, a privately owned carmaker, hopes to start selling vehicles in Puerto Rico next year and on the U.S. mainland in 2008. Another automaker, state-owned Chery Automobile Co., also plans to sell cars here in 2008.

Geely, Chery and the three carmakers preparing to bring cars to Detroit are not among China's largest automakers, but they are among the most aggressive in an industry that is still in the early stages of a shakeout.

Changfeng, Great Wall and Zhongxing could begin shipping vehicles to the United States as early as next year, although 2008-2009 is more likely, said auto dealer Richard Genthe, who was co-chairman of the 2006 show.

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