Debt Free

If you work in the U.S. auto industry, look out! George Soros, Democratic uber-donor and first class hypocrite, is at it again. While trying to single handedly bankroll the democratic party with one hand, with the other, he's hedging his bets a little by reportedly investing $200 million in a venture to bring inexpensive, Chinese made cars to the U.S. If this doesn't get members of the UAW a bit hot, I don't know what will. Apparently a bit discontent that China isn't overtaking the U.S. more rapidly in economic might, Soros has decided to facilitate things a bit. According to several published reports, he's teaming with Maurice (we don't need no freakin' air conditioning) Strong to make sure you and I can buy a sparkling, new Chery from dealer showrooms everywhere by then end of 2008.

They plan to thank the UAW for all their Democratic votes throughout the years by ensuring the U.S. auto companies have to contend with yet another foreign competitor. To make it just that much more challenging, this time the competition's cars will be built in state-sponsored factories, with infinitesimal labor costs. Thanks for nothing, UAW. It seems that Soros' involvement with Moveon.org must not have occupied too much of his time, or satiated his desire to transform America into his personal vision of (our)hell.

The Chery Automobile Co. has already entered into an agreement with Malcom Bricklin's Visionary Vehicles to market their products in the U.S. While best known for importing the pint sized, P.O.S. Yugo in the 1980's, Bricklin also introduced Subaru to U.S. car buyers. As R.E.I. clad drivers in Washington State and Vermont can attest, his Subaru venture was considerably more successful. We can only hope that his Chery venture will meet with results more akin to the Yugo debacle. With the strength of the Chinese economy behind it, instead of a communist Yugoslavian regime from the '80's, I fear the Chery has a much better chance of success. We'll let the market decide. If it's good, and more importantly, cheap, people will buy, no matter it's origin. Just look at the products lining the shelves of your local Bentonville Boutique.

In a related story, GM has filed a lawsuit against Chery Automobile Co, claiming they pirated one of Daewoo's (a GM property) designs for production in China. I'm sure we should apply the “innocent until proven guilty” standard to this, but the Chinese are nothing, if not expert product counterfeiters. So, unless Chery is borrowing members of the O.J. defense team, the case should be a slam dunk.