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Geely 7151CK Concept Auto Show Photo

This was arguably the biggest story at Detroit. The Chinese are coming, if an odd strategy to launch a future-generation version of the Civic-sized Geely 7151CK sedan works. Geely, China's only independent automaker, could become the first from its country to import cars to the U.S., beginning in late 2008 (unless an earnest Malcolm Bricklin surprises everybody and gets here with Chinese Cherys as early as promised). The CK sedan on display is the third generation of the model. Geely is about to launch the fourth generation, but the model we'll get is the fifth, says John Harmer, vice president and CEO of the automaker's U.S. subsidiary. Geely wants to import about 4,000 cars per year to Puerto Rico beginning in Fall 2007, through the Estrada Isuzu dealership network. The warranty will require owners to get an oil change and checkup monthly, giving Estrada the opportunity to check the car's durability and reliability. That program is set to end in the summer of 2008, and if all goes well, we'll see Geely CKs, probably with a new model name, here by that fall. Founded eight years ago by Li Shu Fu, the son of Chinese peasants who built model cars out of mud, Geely is pronounced much like the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez movie Gigli. The CK uses a 1.5-liter Toyota-designed four built under license and comes with power windows, air conditioning, and a five-speed manual, but the American spec car will come with an automatic and possibly a new engine. Target price is $10,000 - however, with so many cars on the market at that price with names like Chevy Aveo and Kia Rio, Geely could go a couple thousand lower if necessary.

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