China for the first time has a presence at the Paris Motor Show exhibiting five models, but their arrival was considered as a "challenge", not a "threat" by their competitors.

 

Despite only five models were exhibited by the companies Landwind and Great wall Motor, they displayed China's ambition to become a world-class car manufacturer, AFP reported on Friday.

 

"In a short term, the Chinese were not a threat, but in the medium term they clearly posed a challenge, the president and chief executive of German automaker Volkswagen, Bernd Pischetsrieder, said.

 

However, president of US General Motors Rick Wagoner, said China would need time to become established in developed countries.

 

Landwind's 4x4 X-Pedition, which is manufactured by Jiangling group and has stepped in the markets of Germany and Netherlands, will be the first Chinese car to enter France in January 2007.

 

Not far from the Landwind stand, another four-wheel-drive Hover, manufactured by Great Wall Motor, was also shown, attracting visitors and journalists from various countries.

 

"I hope that after the Landwind, many Chinese auto manufacturers will realize the importance of the European and French markets," Tieching Hang, a representative from Chinese embassy said at the press release of Landwind.

 

He added that French consumers would realize that China does not make only clothes and shoes, but also cars and even aircraft.

 

According to Elisabeth Young, head of Asie Auto, a company preparing to import the first Chinese vehicle into France, X-Pedition will be 20 percent or 30 percent cheaper than its equivalent models and its price will be around 16,000 euros (about US$20,000).

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2006)