Damox's Car Blog

Ever dream of buying a $1.7 million sports car? If that car is made by Mercedes-Benz, it might run worse than your 10-year-old Saturn. A dealership in Los Angeles is suing Mercedes because the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-GTR Roadster Limited Edition didn't run 10 blocks before the check oil light came on. Soon after the windows came unglued, the transmission failed, and the hydrualic jack system failed to work. In other words, Mercedes-Benz builds its super-exotic cars using the same minds and parts that put together their normal cars. I had to get my zing in their somewhere.
CNN.com - Lawsuit: World's most expensive lemon? - Jun 16, 2006

Chinese auto manufacturers, which are backed by the state government, may begin dumping cheap cars in the U.S. market. The Chery QQ is an SUV that sells in China for about $3,600. In the United States it would likely sell for about $20,000, although I'd expect to see that lowered even more after the Chinese exploit the best distribution channels. At that price, expect many Americans to enter the SUV market for the first time, with an automobile that is larger than other entry models. That said, the vehicle is clearly a knock-off of the Daewoo Matiz, which could prevent it from being sold in the United States in its current form.

Chinese government-back firms are notorious for piracy and a complete disregard for intellectual property law. Many people do not realize that this extends into their auto industry, which basically steals the designs of foreign cars and makes them using cheaper Chinese parts and much cheaper Chinese labor. General Motors, which owns the Daewoo brand, is fighting to keep the Chery out, but the rip-off has some powerful friends, including billionaire financier George Soros. Is GM strong enough to win this dog fight? Will they even be around long enough to have a dog to put in the fight? Only time will tell.
WorldNetDaily: Globalists back China in auto exports to U.S.