Chamco poised to sell first Chinese cars in US

The first Chinese cars will go on sale in the US within 12 months. The vehicles – a pick-up and SUV built by Chinese manufacturer Hebei Zhongxing – are being imported by Chamco, a US distribution business established by entrepreneur Bill Pollack specially to deal with China.

“We’ve seen Japan and Korea become successful – now it’s China’s turn,.” said the confident New Yorker, who has established a workable business model that helps Chinese manufacturers meet US homologation standards as well as offering sales through an eventual network of 400 dealers. Motorsport specialist Steve Saleen has joined Chamco to head up its technical operation.

A consumer launch is planned for later in the year, when the brand under which the cars will be sold will be announced. Zhongxing had hoped to use the ZXAuto name, but it cannot secure the global rights to this brand, so a different name will be used. The Chamco display is low-key, and outside the main halls at Detroit, because Pollack is only attending the press days – the cars aren’t yet ready for a public launch. The vehicles will meet current emissions and crash testing standards, and will be priced below equivalent Korean or Japanese models.

Dealer recruitment is already under way – Pollack said many of the 150 initial dealers were Ford dealers looking to add other franchises, and there was also interest from Toyota dealers “whose fathers and grandfathers had the vision to take on Japanese franchises 30 years ago, and who see the same opportunity now with Chinese brands”.

Ultimately Pollack wants to add other Chinese franchises, offering non-competing models. Chamco is also happy to help with homologation for other Chinese marques looking to do their own thing on distribution.