Maybe it is because NBC has the broadcast rights for the Summer Olympics being held in China, but big gas-guzzling, greenhouse gas-emitting automobiles made by General Motors are seen as a plus for the communist nation's embrace of capitalism.
The August 6 "NBC Nightly News" featured the Chinese people's love of troubled U.S. automaker General Motors (NYSE:GM) - an indicator interpreted as an acceptance of capitalism.
"What would Chairman Mao think?" CNBC correspondent Phil LeBeau asked. "Six decades after the Communist Revolution, China has become the hottest capitalist engine on earth. And ironically, some of the most revered symbols of success in today's China are Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet."
According to LeBeau's report, Buick is "hip" and that has made GM the top-selling automaker in China. Overall the automaker has made $1 billion this year off of Asian sales - although it lost $9 billion in the United States.
"Waggoner knows staying on top in China won't be easy either," LeBeau said. "But when GM's U.S. troubles keep him up at night, he can remind himself, at least for now, Buick is Chinese for success."
Less than two months ago, on the June 26 broadcast of "Nightly News," anchor Brian Williams raised the possibility of the auto manufacturer going out of business. The report suggested GM and other American carmakers were unwilling to switch to smaller, more fuel efficient cars, which are in higher demand due to high gas prices.
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potential jingles
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 10:17 ET by TruthMonger"baseball, egg-rolls, fish-head pie and chevrolet"
"like a rock(throwing protestor) - I'm as strong as i can be - like a rock(throwing protestor)"
"this is mao's country"
actually these kinda suck - so i keep my day job
Here in Shanghai it seems
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 10:49 ET by DarkCurrentHere in Shanghai it seems like every other car is a Buick (other than taxis, which are almost all VWs). Unlike my home town of Seattle, you see a lot more American brand cars than Japanese or Korean. I seems the typical Shanghainese is more pro-American than the typical left-coaster.
Shanghai is also the only place outside of North America I've ever seen a Chevrolet police cruiser. I had to smile when I first noticed one a year or so ago.
Thats funny
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 11:20 ET by kufir77I was in Seattle recently for the first time, and one thing I noticed was the complete lack of American made cars on the road. EVERYONE was driving either a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan, and those that weren't were driving Lexus, Audi, or BMW.
The only GM's I saw were probably atleast 10 years old.
More sterotypes.
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 10:50 ET by HeavyChevyYou know it's funny that everytime the term "Gas Guzzler" seems to rear its ugly head there is always an American company dead center in its cross hairs. Yes before anyone says it we all know that the bulk of the big threes cars have not been known to "hump" the envirnmentalist legs for fuel economy but most of the gas mileage of American cars are for all intent and purposes are just as good as anyone else. Sorry but the term gas guzzler=American cars to me does apply anymore.
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
If you ask a person of
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 11:48 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsIf you ask a person of Chinese origin what he/she thinks of the Japanese or Korean peoples, and you get an honest answer, you will know why they prefer to not buy products from their neighbors.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Having lived about half of
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 12:18 ET by DarkCurrentHaving lived about half of my adult life in Asia, both Japan and China, and with a Chinese wife who speaks fluent Japanese (as I do) I have a pretty good idea how sentiment towards Japan and Japanese trends in China. The historical reasons for those sentiments are well founded.
I don't believe Chinese generally have similar negative sentiments towards Korea or Koreans, if that was implied. There wouldn't be any historical reason to expect that to be the case either.
Even so, Japanese electronics abound and are the most popular consumer brands. Japanese food is also popular, as is Korean. Most taxis in Beijing now are Hyundai.
I just seems GM and other US automakers have done a better job in the China market than the Japanese.
Cubans also.....
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 12:52 ET by zoro7957......love American cars. The 1954 Buick Roadmaster can also be converted into a pleasure yacht with a fuel range of 90 nautical miles.
It's OK because they just
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 14:37 ET by FishFace222It's OK because they just haven't evolved like we have.
Is there a tinge of racism in this story?
"And ironically, some of
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:01 ET by robert108"And ironically, some of the most revered symbols of success in today's China are Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet."
I don't think people choosing a superior product is ironic in any way.