A growing number of Chinese are looking to explore their country’s rougher regions by going off-road, and Jeep sales in China are surging. But China’s terrain is apparently rougher than that found in the United States—or perhaps Chinese drivers are just more radical—because U.S.-built Jeeps are not durable enough for China, an engineer with Chrysler in China told SEMA. That could be an opportunity for SEMA members.
SEMA News—July 2011
Rough Chinese Terrain Creates Market for U.S. Specialty Products
SEMA Provides Low-cost Innovative Program for U.S. Manufacturers to Meet One on One With Top Chinese Buyers
Scott Wood couldn’t have imagined that being named the Time magazine 2010 Dealer of the Year would be his ticket to China, but it was. Wood, who owns Chevrolet and Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealerships in the small town of Batesville, Arkansas, was invited to China to give a presentation to Chinese car dealers on selling accessories in dealerships. Wood sells quite a few Jeep accessories, so he naturally illustrated his presentation with examples of Mopar and aftermarket-branded Jeep accessories.
SEMA News—June 11
Chinese Car Dealers Selling Aftermarket Accessories?
An often-overlooked resource for SEMA members seeking new overseas markets for their products are export management companies (EMCs). A growing number of SEMA members are already selling their products directly overseas, many with great success. But an even larger number are not fully tapping their export potential.
Thirteen SEMA-member companies recently traveled to Beijing, China, for
a firsthand look at the developing Chinese market for specialty
products—or, as referred to in Chinese, Gaizhuang.
A great product mixed with great service is the key factor identified
by Bob Scheid, vice president of export-savvy flywheel and clutch
manufacturer Fidanza Engineering Corp.,
in the company’s growing overseas sales. The Perry, Ohio-based firm
sells to 27 countries around the world and has always been an
internationally focused company, growing its international sales
alongside its domestic sales since the very start of the firm 12 years
ago.
