I hate say, but the first image actually doesn't look bad. Mind you, they have so many good American and Asian pickups to copy their design from. The quality of the build is a whole other issue.

Lately the general theme is that things are either very expensive or just not available here in the US.

Has anybody wondered why? I suspect because all we do here is consume, borrow, print money, sue and try and police the world.

It will take the US 3 years to get small diesel truck produced here and we will have to do it by sending US tax payer money to a japanese auto company. And when that ruck comes to market if sell for twice what the Chinese have been selling it for 5 years prior.

Based on most things I have seen that are made in China, you'd be better off with a bicycle for reliability and build quality. They are improving though - much like the Koreans did (KIA, Hyundai), but no thanks from me for now.

The Libyan rebels were using Chinese pickups alongside the Toyotas, with cheaper parts cited as the reason. Can't be that bad. :-)

No doubt they'd need the "attractive warranty" and "complete care" dealer service. Let the Chinese cut their teeth on it before trying to bring it here.

@Mark Williams - Is the first pic and the last pic of the same truck? They look very different.

The first pic is an interesting blend of the Amarok, mixed with the "jet puffed marshmallow" look of the US tundra, and maybe a little Nissan frontier/xterra body work for good measure.

Does anyone concur or am I way off base here?

this thing could stomp a mud hole in a fords butt fords suck

Wonder if they will do better than Mahindra?
At least they kind of know what people want,
GM and Ford take note of your new potential competition!

From the standpoint of looks and price this truck would be competitive. Reliability and service would be questionable at best. Look at the problems they have had with Chinese tires in the US. As I have said before the Chinese are headed for the US automobile and truck market. If Toyota, Nissan, and GM are the only mid to small truck makers selling in the US market then the Chinese and South Korean truck makers will flood our market with small and midsize trucks and Ford and Chrysler will start importing Chinese made trucks similiar to the 1970s with the Ford Courier (Mazda), Chevy Luv (Isuzu), and Dodge D-50 (Mitsubishi). Look at the new trade deal we have with the South Koreans this will open the floodgates for these trucks. I disagree with what Robert Ryan said in an earlier blog that the Chinese would have trouble conforming to US safety and pollution standards. The Chinese will eventually have this or a similiar truck in the US market and GM, Ford, and Chrysler could supply the technology to comply with US standards. I am not saying that this will happen for sure but I think that there is a high probability of this happening. Aside from compliance issues, quality, and service this truck would sell extremely well if it were priced similiar to what it is in the Chinese market. For 21k this would be a good buy if all the previously mentioned concerns and problems were addressed. This would be a better option than the Mahindra.

And then there's a few important things like crash tests, EPA, chicken tax, dealer network, ...

Any specs on the truck?

@Jeff - I think the number one biggest challenge this truck would face if it came to the U.S. is it's name. Who wants to be seen driving a Wingle? Can you hear the taunts yet? "Hey Ralphie, I can see your Wingle!"

Ken. The new trade deal we will have with South Korea will basically wave the chicken tax. As for crash test this vehicle could be made to pass the crash test. The Chinese would either copy other vehicles safety and pollution technology or license it from Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, or Nissan either through a joint venture or paying the the rights to use it. They could do what the Japanese did for years which is buy competitors vehicles and tear them down and copy this technology. This might take a little time but it is not impossible. This truck looks so much like the Global Ranger, the Global Colorado, and the Hilux. The styling of this truck borrows heavily from existing trucks that are currently or will be on the market. The Chinese are smart people and can figure out how to comply with any safety and pollution stardards. These trucks could also be assembled in the US to get around the chicken tax. We will not see this truck now but by 2014 or after.

toycrusher. They could change the name of this truck for the US and Canadian market. They could also have a agreement with Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, or Mitsubishi and put any one of their badges on it. It could be the North American S-10, Ranger, B series, Mighty Max, or any other name. This is such a generically styled truck that it could assume any name and it could share any 4 or 6 cylinder engine with any transmission combination. The possibilities with this truck is limitless and it would fill a need as the family hauler, weekend hauler, and suburbanite 2nd or 3rd family vehicle. It would have to be competitively priced, reliable, and have a strong dealer network. By teaming up with a major US or Japanese manufacture they would have the dealer and service network they need.

I would not touch this thing with a 100 foot pole! If my beloved Ford Motor Company made a truck in China, I would still not buy it.

I would by a Japanese truck like; a Nissan Frontier or a Toyota Tacoma before I bought a Chinese truck. Still, I would never buy a Japanese truck.

I would much rather have a used American truck (Ford, General Motors or older Dodge) than a brand new foreign jobber!

I think it is a steaming pile of crap. And I would be very interested in how it holds up to any crash tests... or should I say does not hold up.

Made in China? No wayy, maybe for a Matchbox or Hot Wheels car...

Japanese are way better quality focused especially with electronics.

If it does not say Made in the U.S.A. on it my second choice would be Made in Japan!

those r 2 totally diff trucks. the first truck looks pretty nice aside from the cuv front end. the turbo diesel is what gets my attention. even if it does make it to the u.s. will the diesel make it? most import comp/mid truck r available with a diesel in other countries but u.s. just seems to have a hard time sticking a diesel in it. blame that on the buying majority. i personally wouldn't mind a diesel if i didn't live in snow country.

so much hatred towards foreign product. of all things i've purchased over my lifetime, my experience has taught me american made products has a fail rate equal or higher, n that's with more foreign purchased products then american products.

but whatever, we're all one sited so it's irrelevant.

@Oxi - Made in Japan in 2nd place? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL OXI?!!!

@toycrusher84

The second truck looks like it shares similar design with the Isuzu D-Max/I-Series/Holden Rodeo-Colorado/Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon.

The first truck (???) looks like it's channeling its inner Toyota Tundra.

If China can get their build quality straight, I think these trucks would be awesome to have (with a diesel option).

I think there is a typo in the article.

It is called the winkie

The Japanese over 40 years ago had a reputation for cheap and inferior products. Their first cars were duds but by the early 70s they had improved considerably and thanks to the Arab Oil Embargo in the Fall of 1973 they sold like hotcakes. The VW bug was the quality econo car of that era and the Chevy Vega and the Ford Pinto were the lemons (Vega being worse than the Pinto). The first Toyota exported to the USA in 1958 was such a dud that they withdrew it shortly from the market. They came back in the 60s along with Datsun (Nissan) with a cheap price, limited dealerships, long waits for replacement parts, and included a tool kit with each car. These cars were much better but they still had a long way to go. The first Datsun and Toyota trucks were not a whole lot better but they offered a smaller truck at more affordable prices than the Big 3. They too progressed into the quality products they are today. Honda first came to the US market in either the late 50s or early 60s with a small affordable starter motorcyle called the "Dream". By the late 60s they had expanded the Honda motorcycle line and were climbing to Number One. In 1972 Honda ventured into the US car market with a small Civic powered by a Honda motorcyle engine with a chain drive. These cars were smaller than a Smart Car and were cheap death traps. Then Honda came out with the CVC Civic and Accords which were vastly improved. The first Subarus circa the late 1960s were sold by individuals taking orders with no dealership network and resembled the later 1972 Civic. Look at Subaru now. In 1986 the Hyndai Excel entered the US market under its own name and its twin under the Mitsubishi name (another joint venture Hyundai getting the Mitsubishi motor and Mitsubishi getting a price leader car). The first Hyundais were a cheap not so dependable car but better than the very first Japanese cars. Hyundai is now knocking on Toyotas and Hondas doors with the Sonota and Genesis. This is not to say that this Chinese truck is that good now but the potential is there and given time the Chinese could become the number one players in the global car and truck market. There is always someone who is more hungry for success to challenge the Number One whether it be a country, a product, or an industry.

@Jeff and @ uh huh They are sold here as the Great Wall Pickup(No chinese names) The copy Nissan a lot, but newer models like the top photo, are more original. When they got a 2 out of 5 rating in a ANCAP test they came with a Model that scored a 4.
I guess they are slightly below the Korean GM Daewoo and SSanyong for quality, but give them 5 yrs and and they will start making models on par.
The Japanese and the Korean KIA/Hyundai are the Asian benchmarks for them to beat.

Coming to a Wallmart near you.. LOL

#1 in China - is it a case of buy this truck or else? (you become an organ donor).

The first pic looks like a blend between the Amarok and Tundra. The second one - not sure.

I'd be skeptical of build quality.
Studies show that as far as country of origin goes; Asian products in general are better built than NA vehicles, and European built vehicles are worse than everyone elses.

Give them time Lou. I would not rush out and buy one of these now even if they were available now but in 5 years as Robert Ryan stated in his post they could be on par with the Japanese and Korean vehicles. And I would agree with you Lou that I would not be surprised if they started their North American distribution in a Walmart. If they come into the North American market they will have to give these a good warranty and have good service. If they do then they could be successful. They would be better off to come in to the NA market badged as a Big 3 of Japanese name and use their dealerships and distribution networks. The build quality will improve as this truck gets established just as the Japanese and the South Koreans build quality improved. As I said I would not be the first to buy one of these.

Definitely two different trucks in the pictures...look at the curved edge at the botom/rear corner of the window. One of 'em must be last year's Wingle or something.

I love how all the uneducated rednecks on this site are so quick to bash this thing without even a review, specs, or pretty much ANYTHING to support their opinons other than pure bull-headed ignorance. :D

@Jason H. "pure bull-headed ignorance" if it wasn't for that, there would be nothing left to say;)

I've been always leery of things imported out of China to North America. In some cases with total disregard for our safety rapped in a package to look appealing. This Chinese truck looks nice, but needs to be proven in both durability and safety before I would spend 15 grand less of a truck.

true americans dont support foreign products. American companies are outsourcing there jobs overseas due to cheaper labor while china is educating its professionals and sending them to America. SO by buying a toyota or nissan etc. your money goes to a foreign company in america. Yes thats right. Thats why americans are disgusted. We want cheaper things but wont support our own products. What dimwits we are. For those that say igonorance is with the big three, then at least were not supporting japan or china, who own our national debt. did you forget that? Support America not foreign companies.

outsourcing jobs improves the employment rate in the domestic market meaning that we are supporting ourselves more if we buy american cars and trucks overseas. We lose money if we pay american workers to build foreign cars or trucks. SO a toyota plant in tennesse or whatnot is not american. Where the profits go is what matters. where do foreign products go? if it werent for the pesky union and strict standards and regulations, we would nt have strikes forcing our companies to pursue cheaper costs. We are all to blame!

@Buy American- I am with you on that. 21,000 bux would buy me a nice used Ford (or even a chevy! *gasp*). Much rather spend it on that than this thing.

@Jason H- Its the Us versus Them mentality. Its fun to apply to things, you should try it.

since im actually in australia, i can tell you the top ute isnt being sold here, although i believe there are plans to do so in the future.
the bottom pics are a different model that is sold here, its called the 240v.

I don't want buy China truck, I always buy American Trucks best heavy duty parts longer life time no rust.

I like it, I'd rather buy something from China then the U.S.

@Alex> No rust? where do you live Texas? Every make and model rusts north of the border. Except maybe Deloreans.

@Allistar:
"...SO a toyota plant in tennesse or whatnot is not american. Where the profits go is what matters..."

(sigh)

First: the profits go to the SHAREHOLDERS. A significant percentage of which are AMERICAN BANKS (The State Street bank (of Massachusetts) and Bank of New York Mellon are the 5th and 6th largest Toyota Shareholders):

http://www.toyota-global.com/investors/stock_information_ratings/outline.html

Second: Who really cares whether the profits go to benefit some rich old fatcat in Tokyo or some rich old fatcat in Massachusetts? The economic gain realized from a plant operating inside the US (taxes, jobs, etc.) is FAR greater than whatever meager gain comes from some rich old man in a mansion somewhere (no matter where he lives) adding another zero to his account balance.

Third: if you have any Large Cap mutual funds there's a very good chance that YOU own a sliver of that rice pie.

To the guy who said "true Americans don't buy foreign products" I'd be curious to know where that computer you're typing on right now was made. Or the cell phone or other gadgets. OR your food, paper products and clothing. Most people spend far more each year on foreign products than on vehicles.

A better strategy if we want to create jobs in this country is let the other countries make the cars and lets go back to making everything else.

Aside from that I think this truck looks great. It's rare that I'm impressed with the styling of the foreign cars, especially trucks.

One thing that doesn't look so great is the back seat. Looks very cramped.

China has enough internal demand that there's little need to sell to America for the next few years.

@steve the model in the top photo will be sold here and is bigger than the Nissan clone, V240.

Allistar and Benchimus-

Right on my fellow Americans!

Keep fighting the good fight!!!

@Allistar it is where the jobs go that matter and how that enterprise affects other suppliers. Profit is a return on investment. If BMW, VW, Hyundai, Mercedes, Hino , Volvo Trucks, Mercedes (Freightliner and Mack) etc for some reason rapidly decided to disinvest in NA and close their factories , the affect would be disastrous.
On the other hand if local owned manufacturing increases and improve their market share , then the whole industry is a winner, as the pie has become larger.

Looks better than a taco!!! I believe michigan blob has found a new love!!!

We live in a world that is full of multinational and multiconglomerate corporations that do not owe the allegiance to any country. Do you think GM or Ford will be as loyal to the US market if the profits are bigger in China, Thailand, or any country that is growing rapidly? Everything is bottom line now? I agree that I would rather buy products made in this country. When was the last time you bought a coffee maker, TV, toaster, computer, or I-phone that is made in the US or Canada. These items are not even made in Mexico. Thank goodness that Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyandai, Kia, VW, BMW, and Mercedes have plants in this country. I would much rather support a foreign company that that manufactures and employs in the US and Canada than a US company like Black & Decker that makes their tools in China and other Asian countries. If this China truck came to North America and were eventually made in the US or Canada I would buy it if it were reliable and competitively priced. Next time you go to Walmart and pick up a product with an American name look at where it is made. Bets are it is probably made in China. Do you think that all of the profit from these Chinese made American products goes back to the US? The answer would be no, it is invested overseas to avoid the 35% tax rate. Do you think that Bank of America, Mellon, Chase, and all these other American banks and investment companies invest all there holdings in the US? No they invest it everywhere. I would much rather buy a Toyota truck assembled in the US with mostly US parts even if all the suppliers are Japanese. US employed workers pay US taxes, send their children to college, support the local businesses, and buy homes. Do we really want Japanese and South Korean companies to stop investing in manufacturing in the US and Canada? A Chevy, Ford, or Ram truck that is eventually made in China would support our economy less than a Toyota or a Nissan truck assembled in the US with US made parts even if the corporations that made these parts were foreign owned? I guess I am anti-American for at one time driving a Chrysler 5th Avenue made in a Chrysler plant in Canada. Do we want to start a trade war with Canada? Let us first think about supporting US and Canadian made goods rather than where the manufacturer's country of origin.

@Jeff:

Yeah, I'm unamerican too. My Chevy Silverado came from Ontario, my computer is (mostly) from Maylaysia and I work (in the U.S.) for a Swiss-named compay that is ultimately owned by a Japanese conglomerate.

The world really is flat.

The skin on the 1st truck looks nice enough. To me, the front end looks most like a Honda Accord, but there are, of course, several styling influences. The really note-worthy part to me is that the engines are actually MADE IN GERMANY. That means made using expensive, German union labor. If the Germans can sell mechanical stuff to the Chinese, we could, too.
@Toycrusher- they are definitely 2 different trucks. Based on the wheels, it looks like the frame picture is also the bottom truck. To me, that one looks to be based on, or borrowing from the old Global Ranger/Mazda BT50. Looks to have a torsion bar suspension, and interestingly, has a RH front drive set-up (which very few others retain today).
@Jeff- price looks competitive enough to be semi-disposable. Check out comparable prices in the same market... much higher.
@toycrusher84- say what you will aboutoxi's Taco, but it is MADE in USA. The Chinese can build anything you ask them to build for you. And if you ask them to build something ridiculously cheap, they will make it that way. Want a 10$ tire? Ok, but it'll have $4 worth of rubber, and the rest will be dogs#1t. The Chinese can benchmark as well as the Koreans, and they're not shy about it.

@Robert Ryan- Mack is Volvo, yo. DTNA Is Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Bus and a few parts and component brands.

@Jason H--I am sure you are just as happy to work for a Swiss-named Japanese Company, at least you have a job. The world is indeed flat and the sooner most people recognize that the better. My HP/Compaq Presario is made in China along with my HP 8500 Office Jet printer (HP is an american company with manufacturing plants all over Asia). There are a lot of unemployed and educated Americans with technical skills that would be glad just to have a decent job whether it was a US company, a Japanese company, a Chinese company, a German company, a Swiss company, or etc. I live in Northern Kentucky across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio. Toyota has their North American offices by the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport and just about 5 miles from my home in Hebron, KY Toyota has their Northern American parts distribution warehouse. Less than 100 miles from my house Toyota has a huge plant in Georgetown that makes Camrys and Avalons. Toyota is a major employer in this area. Most of the people living in Kentucky are glad that Toyota has a home in Kentucky. Toyota has not only provided jobs but they have given financial support to municipalities who have had their funding cut. Toyota has given police cars and vehicles to local municipalities. Toyota has been a good citizen. When the Georgetown plant has had slow downs such as the last one due to the earthquake and sunomi in Japan they did not layoff workers. They kept their workers employed. The workers were paid to provide service to the low income such as weatherization or helping to make homes handycap accessible. Toyota also used this opportunity to retrain their workers and to do maintenance work around the plant. I am sure they do the same in San Antonio, Texas and most of the citizens of San Antonio are glad to have Toyota as a part of their community.

@Mr Knowitall thanks, I knew I made one mistake in that list. Volvo has really taken hold of the Japanese UD operation and given it a shakeup. UD have the new Condor , what you would call a Class 7/8 truck(MDT here), a lot of interesting features and this time a UD developed 7 Litre engine, that is not anemic , with 330hp and 930lbs ft of torque.

@Maxx- Id have an American made computer if I they made them. And if they already do, who would that be? Im using a cheap a$$ Emachines right now. I say we go back to making everything. Yes it will be more expensive but wouldnt that be cancelled out by the fact a lot more of the money would stay here and that would be so many more people with jobs here to spend here?