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General Motors has a major overseas hit in its Wuling Sunshine, a $5,000 minivan that gets more than 40 miles to the gallon. It sold 590,000 of them in China last year, but don't be too quick to complain that its foreign-only status is totally unfair: The Sunshine's three-cylinder engine has less power than some lawn tractors, there are no seat belts in the back row, and it doesn't have airbags.
You can pay more for a motorcycle and have the same risk of death, but that doesn't stop us from buying them.
I don't understand why people are quick to underline the danger of a bare-bones car.
Of course they're unsafe! What makes them attractive is everything else -- cheapness, simplicity, and practicality.
So what if it's underpowered, unsafe, and inevitably slow? That's the risk you pay for when you buy a $5000 van.
These would be great in metropolitan areas where speeds don't go higher than 40.
I believe we have some at UIUC; they're narrow, rather tall, but evidently quite handy.
Safety guidelines are different in China because it's a developing nation. This van is far safer than putting 4 family members on a motorbike.
This van offers many Chinese a significant improvement in quality of life and everyday safety.
Not ignorant at all. That is how the Chinese government treats it's people. Any good news you hear about China and her government is nothing but an international pr stunt.
Not ignorant at all. That is how the Chinese government treats it's people. Any good news you hear about China and her government is nothing but an international pr stunt.
You're not getting it. Why should Chinese people continue to sit 4 family members on a motorbike for another 20 years for the sake of some arbitrary safety regulation? Wouldn't it be better to get the family in a minivan now, even if the van doesn't meet US safety regulations? Come on, be practical and realistic. You think middle class Chinese folks can afford a 20k minivan that meets US regulations?
Did the US government not care about its people back when they allowed cars more dangerous than these in China? Does the Indian government not care for its people because it allows even more dangerous cars that cost 2k to be driven by its citizens?
Your kind of jingoistic reading of what's going on in another nation only makes life more difficult for everyone.
You're not getting it. Why should Chinese people continue to sit 4 family members on a motorbike for another 20 years for the sake of some arbitrary safety regulation? Wouldn't it be better to get the family in a minivan now, even if the van doesn't meet US safety regulations? Come on, be practical and realistic. You think middle class Chinese folks can afford a 20k minivan that meets US regulations?
Did the US government not care about its people back when they allowed cars more dangerous than these in China? Does the Indian government not care for its people because it allows even more dangerous cars that cost 2k to be driven by its citizens?
Your kind of jingoistic reading of what's going on in another nation only makes life more difficult for everyone.
foodyap, some folks just have a very narrow view, caused by the red, white and blue blinders they wear.
You're not getting it. Why should Chinese people continue to sit 4 family members on a motorbike for another 20 years for the sake of some arbitrary safety regulation? Wouldn't it be better to get the family in a minivan now, even if the van doesn't meet US safety regulations? Come on, be practical and realistic. You think middle class Chinese folks can afford a 20k minivan that meets US regulations?
Did the US government not care about its people back when they allowed cars more dangerous than these in China? Does the Indian government not care for its people because it allows even more dangerous cars that cost 2k to be driven by its citizens?
Your kind of jingoistic reading of what's going on in another nation only makes life more difficult for everyone.
No.
Did you ever stop and think that if they are grossly exceeding the carrying capacity of a motorbike they will certainly do the same for these minivans? They literally load those motor bikes to their physical limits. They will do the same with the minivans. The only problem is that the minivans will be much more laden... far more massive than the bikes and they now have the ability (or will at least feel the security) of traveling at much higher velocities.
There is no improvement in safety here, just another contraption for them to die in. An improvement in safety would be to regulate how and how much people load their vehicles. Again, safety is hardly a consideration of the Chinese government.
Quote:
Originally Posted by deepcynic
foodyap, some folks just have a very narrow view, caused by the red, white and blue blinders they wear.
Sorry Sparky, no blinders here... not even eye glasses.
This van looks like a cross between a VW Vanagon and a Dodge Sprinter (IMHO). It appears to be something that could be practical for a family, and reasonably affordable, too. If they were to add seatbelts and airbags, as well as whatever is necessary to meet other safety requirements for the U.S., they could probably sell it here. This van might replace the old "VW bus" as the slowest thing on the road, but it could be affordable and efficient.
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