Chinese delivery delayed
Chery and Great Wall Motors on hold for Australia as economy bites
Falling exchange rates have forced importer Ateco Automotive to postpone the introduction of budget Chinese brands Chery and Great Wall Motors (GWM) to Australia.
Initially slated for a March launch Chery/GWM spokeswoman Anne Wild tells the Carsales Network that there is no firm date now. The exchange rate was cited as the primary reason for the delay but undoubtedly the slowing new car market also played a part. The two brands join Cadillac in putting an Australian launch on the backburner.
But unlike Holden's decision to delay Cadillac's launch "indefinitely", Wild insists Ateco will launch both brands by the end of 2009.
"They are still earmarked for this year. When is the big question," Wild says.
"It could be the end of the month. It could be the end of the year. They will be here. The issue is when."
Originally Ateco -- the same company that imports Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Citroen cars -- had planned to bring in the entire Chery range (more here). Wild indicates that may not still be the case.
"That's something still finalizing in Ateco's sights," she says.
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