Chinese automaker GAC says it will have cars for sale in the U.S. by 2019, but will probably dump its Trumpchi brand due to negative feedback and "ridicule."
For years Chinese automakers have vowed to break into the U.S. market. But many things have held them back, including quality, and safety concerns. But Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) says it is now also concerned with the naming of its core brand: Trumpchi.
"We saw people were laughing at this and took pictures looking only at this detail, and also put on Facebook or other websites," GAC Motor Design Director Zhang Fan told Reuters. "When we read all that feedback, we realized it might not be very positive promotion for the brand."
The similarities between their brand and the current U.S. president were completely "coincidental," says Feng Xingya, GAC Group President.
From the Reuters story, "GAC came up with 'trump' for being the best and 'chi' for China, Zhang said."
After a management change, the company has plans to enter the U.S. market by 2019. However, it says it first must overcome those same quality and safety concerns other Chinese companies have faced. It might also want to work on its English.
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