BYD F3R

They’re Back

As in the case of “Cinderella”, it seems that the stepchildren that might prove to be an embarrassment are relegated to the nether regions. In Cinderella’s case, it was the attic. Since Cobo Hall’s attic is the roof-top parking lot reserved for patrons, most of the automotive fringe elements at the auto show find themselves in the basement. It is here that you will find cars with everything from 25” Dubs to solar panels, as well as every form of locomotion known to man – from rubber bands to electricity.

The basement, it turns out, is also home to the representatives of China’s nascent automobile industry. Beginning in 2007 with a concourse press conference jammed with hundreds of curious reporters, Changfeng Motors was joined in 2008 by BYD, Geely and Li Shi Guang Meng.

For 2008, BYD will return, while Brilliance Auto, best known for assembling BMW 3 and 5 series automobiles for the German automaker for sale in China will make its North American debut.

BYD F6 Hybrid-Electric

Build Your Dreams

BYD (Build Your Dreams) was established in 1995 as a battery maker and, in fact, claims a 30% share of the world’s cell phone battery market. No less a luminary than Warren Buffet, in the form of MidAmerican Energy Holdings, owns a 10% stake in the company – primarily for its green technology and the fact that BYD is in the process of rolling out its first production electric-hybrid car for sale in China in 2009 with plans for Europe and Israel by 2010.

Brilliance Splendor

Brilliance

Although Brilliance has never exhibited in North America, it has appeared at auto shows in China as well as Europe, where it currently sells vehicles. In addition to the aforementioned BMW’s, a subsidiary of the company also builds Toyota models under license for the Chinese market.

The Rest

There’s no word yet on whether or not Geely or Li Shi Guang Meng will be making encore appearances in Detroit. Too bad, since the Li Shi Guang Meng Amphibious Tang Hua Detroit Fish certainly took honors in 2008 for the most interesting name/style combination at the show.

Amphibious Tang Hua Detroit Fish