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

The fringe elements are always downstairs.

Ever since “Cinderella”, it seems that the stepchildren that might prove to be an embarrassment are relegated to attics. Since Cobo Hall doesn’t have an attic, most of the automotive fringe elements are sent to the basement. Here you will find cars with 25” Dubs, some with solar panels, as well as every form of locomotion known to man – from rubber bands to electricity. It was also here, not that long ago, that you found Honda’s Acura division.

This year, amid the University displays and insurance companies, you could also browse the Chinese manufacturers’ offerings. Most of what they had to offer is, by U.S. standards, still a little rough around the edges, but so was Toyota back in 1959.

BYD (Build Your Dream)

BYD F3

The F3 is a compact 4 door sedan.

BYD F3R

The F3R is a compact 5 door hatchback sedan.

BYD F6

The F6 is a midsize sedan.

BYD F6 DM

The F6 DM is a hybrid midsize sedan.

BYD F8

The F8 is a midsize sport coupe.

ChangFeng Motor

ChangFeng Motor specializes in building SUV’s with Mitsubishi-sourced engines.

ChangFeng Kylin

The Kylin 1 is a small SUV, about the size of a Ford Escape.

ChangFeng Liebao CS6

The Liebao CS6 is a midsize 6-passenger SUV.

ChangFeng Liebao CS7

The CS7 is a midsize 7-passenger SUV.

Geely

Geely CK

The CK is a compact sedan.

Geely MK

The MK is a compact 5-door hatchback

Geely Coupe

The coupe is – surprise – a compact coupe!

Li Shi Guang Ming

I really had to save the best for last. One look and you know you’re not in Kansas anymore.

Li Shi Guang Ming Tang Hua Book of Songs

The Book of Songs (not an iPod) is a 2 passenger enclosed electric micro car.

Li Shi Guang Ming Tang Hua Piece of Cloud

The Piece of Cloud is a 2 passenger open electric micro car.

Li Shi Guang Ming Amphibious Tang Hua Detroit Fish

Trust me. I couldn’t make up this name for a 4-passenger open electric micro car.

For those of you who don’t remember, and the rest of us who can’t remember…

1959 Toyota Toyopet Crown Custom Sedan

We may have laughed then, but we’re not laughing now.