The BIG Story In Beijing, BIG Luxury Saloons

Autocar reports:

One of the themes of the Beijing motor show that's impossible to miss is the popularity of luxury saloons with the Chinese car buying public.

So it's no coincidence to see several major luxury saloon launches at the show. Perhaps the biggest of all is Maybach's launch of facelifts of its 57 and 62 saloons; neither are popular with the European car buying public but have found popularity among China's affluent businessmen.

Another car that's less than popular in Europe but more so in China is the VW Phaeton. Subtle revisions to the car's styling have brought it more in line with the rest of VW's new range; it'll reach the UK later this year...

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Agent63 - 4/24/2010 3:09:42 AM

+1 Boost

Not all of Europe`s buying public has the money to buy Maybach`s. If any of you has been to a Maybach dealer you will know how many options there are available and materials to choose from. It`s super exclusive but as a business it`s not doing well. Quality is superb as it should be in this segment. But, in China more people have money because of large manufacturing plants and they like large saloons.

upwards - 4/24/2010 4:49:52 PM

+1 Boost

They just have the jobs and wealth that used to be in America.

Agent63 - 4/26/2010 12:50:10 AM

0 Boost

China had wealthy business men long before this day. They don't have that wealth because of America.

uaw_lax - 4/26/2010 2:22:45 AM

+1 Boost

are you serious Agent63?! The mojority of China's wealth comes from the US.

upwards - 4/26/2010 10:04:12 AM

+1 Boost

Agent 63 last year when America had its credit crisis and Americans where not able to buy things made in China by the billions like in the previous decade China and the rest of the world was waiting for the US to get its act together because mainly China was actually closing factories because of the law of money coming from the US.

Eyecarehawaii - 4/30/2010 4:19:15 PM

+1 Boost

China owns the US in terms of debt but still depends on it to buy its products. Once the Chinese have elevated their level of consumerism where they can buy their own products they won't need the US as a trading partner as much and they can start to collect on their debt. At present Europe is a more important trading partner to China than the US.

As far as large luxury cars go there are many wealthy Europeans who can afford these cars but choose not to buy them for a number of reasons. They get taxed heavily for larger cars, the parking spaces are much smaller there, and there just isn't the same need or desire for conspiscious consumerism in Europe that seems to exist here in the US and is developing in China.