KEY POINTS:
Volume imports of China-brand cars to Europe could take up to five years, said Antje Woltermann, the managing director of the German Federation for Motor Trade and Repair.
"One or two manufacturers may come into the European markets in 2008, but selling volumes needs more time," she said.
Woltermann was in China to assess carmakers looking to export.
Her impression is that they have good manufacturing equipment.
"But they are still behind when it comes to areas such as fit and finish, and technical matters such as automatic window openers that always work," she says.
"The main advantage for Chinese brands is price but the quality [also] has to be okay."
So far, to Woltermann's knowledge, only two European companies are importing Chinese brands: the Landwind SUV produced by Jiangling Holding and the Zhonghua sedan produced by Brilliance China Automotive.
Both did poorly on safety tests and the results were widely publicised.
"The Chinese manufacturers are not yet ready for exporting," said Woltermann.
She said test images had made dealers cautious about signing up to sell Chinese brands.
- Reuters
