China's Brilliance set to display at Detroit show, vows 2009 U.S. market debut

While some already established automakers are pulling out of the 2009 Detroit auto show, others, like China's up-and-coming Brilliance, are making themselves right at home in the Motor City. According to a report by Automotive News, Brilliance will display four of its global offerings at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in January. If all goes as planned (not likely, considering its lengthy track record), the report says Brilliance will enter the U.S. market by as early as next year. The Chinese automaker is looking to ship its BS6 midsize sedan, BS4 compact car, BC3 sport coupe, and FRV hatchback to Detroit where it will try to gain some much needed excitement despite a highly publicized shaky European introduction. Last month, we reported on Brilliance's reselling of a BS4 sedan in Europe that was revised by Porsche after receiving horrible crash safety results earlier in the year. Although none of its cars pass American safety and emissions standards in their current form, Brilliance officials insist their models will meet regulations by December of this year with extensive help from Porsche AG and FEV Inc. In an interview with Automotive News this past spring, Brilliance VP He Guochua stated the automaker has already sent BS6 and BS4 sedans for testing in the U.S. where they achieved "good" safety results and, as expected, problematic emissions outputs. Brilliance currently employs a variety of expertises in the manufacturing and improvement of its cars. BMW, its Chinese partner, helps out with the company's production process, Porsche has been commissioned for its engineering, and Mitsubishi provides support to the powertrain departments. It will be surprising if, even with all the outside assistance, Brilliance's cars will be up to standard and ready in time for its proposed 2009 U.S. introduction. Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)