‘08 NAIAS: Tang Hua Shows Detroit Fish, Will It Swim in Rouge River?

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Evan McCausland on Thu, 01/17/2008 - 13:30
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Although we've seen Chinese automakers make considerable progress in refining their automobiles, the Tang Hua brand isn't one of them. Built by the Beijing Li Shi Guang Ming Automobile Design Company, the small electric runabouts on display at the Detroit auto show lacked refinement, but more than made up for it in their sense of humor.

We've mentioned cars bringing smiles to peoples' faces, but let's face it - when your product looks like a giant yellow peanut, you're bound to get some laughs. Suppressing our giggles, we moved in to get a closer look at the vibrant yellow minicars.

Even though they're aimed to compete with golf carts and other neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), Tang Hua's cars have a long march towards meeting the fit and finish of their competitors. Climbing in and out, we saw plenty of rough plastic surfaces, flimsy dash materials, and loose carpeting. Perhaps forgivable in a car of this segment, but the noxious smell of adhesive and plastics wasn't - especially in the open-cab models...

(Click through for more info and photos on what Tang Hua brought to Detroit)

And then yes, there's that design. As awkward as the "Book of Songs" or the "Piece of Cloud" may be to look at, the bulbous "Detroit Fish" is arguably the worst. We're not sure if the company wants us to laugh at it; suggesting it's an "amphibious vehicle," the firm stuck fiberglass fins on its rocker panels and a fake propeller out back. Better yet, a sticker on its display placard indicated it would be an ideal vehicle for President Bush to keep at his Texas ranch. Somehow, we're betting he'll stay with an F-series pickup.

We'll give them some credit; representatives suggested these vehicles would be best used as rental cars at resort properties or as service vehicles on large campuses. Tang Hua hopes to sell the vehicles, which supposedly have a range of 124 miles, for around $2600. If that price point holds in China, we're wondering what the $2500 Tata Nano may do to China's auto market.

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Aaron

That placard is more baffling than the hideous cars. President Bush, a renowned environmentalist?!

Also, this is the largest autoshow in North America, maybe the world. It amazes me that this company at no point (apparently) asked a fluent english speaker "so, does this placard read correctly?"

Thu, 01/17/2008 - 14:43
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JohnD

My favorite is the center of the steering wheel...

Thu, 01/17/2008 - 18:28
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Jonathan Fung

We all live in a yellow submarine...I'm under the impression that this car will sink in the market. I have never seen anything that ridiculous looking while in China. Cars are a sort of status symbol there...and this...this is the anti-status symbol.

Thu, 01/17/2008 - 19:46
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fantasyfreddy

really awesome!! looks like a cartoon pet -- cute!! would satisfy the bulk of millions of peoples' car needs. way cheaper per mile than gas, way cheap to buy, and zero emissions! detroit better catch up quick!! this is their real competition.

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