Back From China...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: KS
Back From China...
I just returned from a trip to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau (for the Macau Grand Prix!), but I didn't see a single Corvette, new, old, or otherwise 
Interestingly, I saw a number of Buick LeSabres in mainland China, along with the usual assortment of BMWs and Mercedes. And a really tiny minivan!
Hong Kong was full of Toyotas, BMWs, Mercedes, and one very interesting Aston Martin DB9
The most interesting sight, though, was "Rolls Royce of Guangzhou"
It's good to be back on the "right" side of the road...
Interestingly, I saw a number of Buick LeSabres in mainland China, along with the usual assortment of BMWs and Mercedes. And a really tiny minivan!
Hong Kong was full of Toyotas, BMWs, Mercedes, and one very interesting Aston Martin DB9
The most interesting sight, though, was "Rolls Royce of Guangzhou"
It's good to be back on the "right" side of the road...
Last edited by Master Ho; Dec 1, 2004 at 02:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Bridgeport CT
Sir:
Seeing Buick’s in China is more common than one would think. GM built a Buick assembly plant on their mainland close to a decade ago to get a foot hold in the door. First only the bureaucrats bought them, however the burgeoning free market has increased market share. I think they may actually turn a profit now, however I don’t keep up with their sales figures.
I know of a 1971 LS-6 convertible that was in Hong Kong a few years ago. I once said to the owner, that having that make and model in Hong Kong was certainly a status symbol to all the other folk with Asian 1, 2, 3 and 4 cylinder models. And he responded, that he also had a “M*stang 6 pack 427 convertible” and then he blew me away by stating “Yeah, and I blow away all the Ricers.” Honest, I was surprised, because he was Chinese.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS My new C6 has 3500 miles!
Seeing Buick’s in China is more common than one would think. GM built a Buick assembly plant on their mainland close to a decade ago to get a foot hold in the door. First only the bureaucrats bought them, however the burgeoning free market has increased market share. I think they may actually turn a profit now, however I don’t keep up with their sales figures.
I know of a 1971 LS-6 convertible that was in Hong Kong a few years ago. I once said to the owner, that having that make and model in Hong Kong was certainly a status symbol to all the other folk with Asian 1, 2, 3 and 4 cylinder models. And he responded, that he also had a “M*stang 6 pack 427 convertible” and then he blew me away by stating “Yeah, and I blow away all the Ricers.” Honest, I was surprised, because he was Chinese.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS My new C6 has 3500 miles!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: KS
Originally Posted by Doc Rebuild
Sir:
he blew me away by stating “Yeah, and I blow away all the Ricers.” Honest, I was surprised, because he was Chinese.
Geoffrey Coenen
he blew me away by stating “Yeah, and I blow away all the Ricers.” Honest, I was surprised, because he was Chinese.
Geoffrey Coenen
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Bridgeport CT
Sir:
I think my client from Hong Kong was referring to all Asian cars as Ricers, not just those with a loud radio and young pilot. I too, referred to all Asian cars as Ricers and still use that term with that vernacular whether it has 2,4,8, 12 or 16 or more cylinders. It was only in the last 2-3 years that I came to realize that it had a different secondary meaning, after reading other folks disparage those models in this learned venue. I doubt my old client in Hong Kong he knew the current American inflection regarding that term as well. I’ll bet he though it merely included the models actually manufactured on that continent, not those merely personalized by youthful Americans playing loud music or making other loud sounds.
Just because a cultural fad or phenomenon is common in the USA, does not mean others world wide have obnoxious boom boxes for their cars and I honestly was not inferring that their bad manners were also common elsewhere.
Yep that Buick plant does make LeSaber.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS I still think a gay person is a happy, cheerful individual. Others think gay mainly refers to a ***.
I think my client from Hong Kong was referring to all Asian cars as Ricers, not just those with a loud radio and young pilot. I too, referred to all Asian cars as Ricers and still use that term with that vernacular whether it has 2,4,8, 12 or 16 or more cylinders. It was only in the last 2-3 years that I came to realize that it had a different secondary meaning, after reading other folks disparage those models in this learned venue. I doubt my old client in Hong Kong he knew the current American inflection regarding that term as well. I’ll bet he though it merely included the models actually manufactured on that continent, not those merely personalized by youthful Americans playing loud music or making other loud sounds.
Just because a cultural fad or phenomenon is common in the USA, does not mean others world wide have obnoxious boom boxes for their cars and I honestly was not inferring that their bad manners were also common elsewhere.
Yep that Buick plant does make LeSaber.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS I still think a gay person is a happy, cheerful individual. Others think gay mainly refers to a ***.
Last edited by Doc Rebuild; Dec 1, 2004 at 09:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
I was in Suzhou in April.....I saw a lot of Audis and VW sedans, one mid 80's Caddy and a whole heap of bicycles.... 
What was the "Rolls Royce of Guangzhou" ??????
Really cool place, China........would love to go back.....
What was the "Rolls Royce of Guangzhou" ??????
Really cool place, China........would love to go back.....
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Originally Posted by Doc Rebuild
......Just because a cultural fad or phenomenon is common in the USA, does not mean others world wide have obnoxious boom boxes for their cars......
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: KS
Originally Posted by Doc Rebuild
Sir:
I think my client from Hong Kong was referring to all Asian cars as Ricers, not just those with a loud radio and young pilot. I too, referred to all Asian cars as Ricers and still use that term with that vernacular whether it has 2,4,8, 12 or 16 or more cylinders. It was only in the last 2-3 years that I came to realize that it had a different secondary meaning, after reading other folks disparage those models in this learned venue.
I think my client from Hong Kong was referring to all Asian cars as Ricers, not just those with a loud radio and young pilot. I too, referred to all Asian cars as Ricers and still use that term with that vernacular whether it has 2,4,8, 12 or 16 or more cylinders. It was only in the last 2-3 years that I came to realize that it had a different secondary meaning, after reading other folks disparage those models in this learned venue.
I understood your original message and always appreciate hearing others' points of view.
Interestingly, I haven't heard anyone on this forum refer to German cars as "Krautmobiles", Italian jobs as "Spaghettislurpers", or British cars as "Teasippers", yet it seems to be okay to bash Japanese cars/drivers as "Ricers".
Why the difference, I wonder?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: KS
Originally Posted by standup
What was the "Rolls Royce of Guangzhou" ??????
Really cool place, China........would love to go back.....
Really cool place, China........would love to go back.....