What's Wrong With This Picture: That's Riich Edition
We got a good giggle (and several excellent limericks) out of Chery’s Bentley-aping Riich brand logo back in March, so we thought we’d show off a peek at what qualifies as upmarket for Chery. Priced at about $8,165, the Riich X1 makes do with an 84 hp, 1.3 liter engine which motivates the tiny crossover to 60 mph in a very un-upmarket 16 seconds. Which is no big deal, considering top speed is rated at about 93 mph. The X1 does offer alloy wheels, climate control, parking sensors and mp3 connectivity though. As tempting as it is to simply laugh off at the Chinese version of upmarket branding, a look at this advertisement for the X1’s sibling, the Riich M1, shows a young professional-oriented vibrancy that’s become rare in US-market auto advertising. What the Chinese market clearly lacks in technology and expectation, it makes up for with an enthusiasm born of seemingly limitless potential. [via Automotorundsport.de]
More by Edward Niedermeyer
Comments
Join the conversation
Anyone old enough to remember Jumpin' John Goldsmith's song "You're Still Not Safe in a Japanese Car" ... will hesitate to laugh too hard at Chinese efforts.
I totally agree with the comment about the car advertisement. It portrays owners as mature, professional, and energetic. This contrasts sharply with what I see a lot of in US car ads (or ads for anything, for that matter): politically correct stereotypes, klutzes the viewer is supposed to laugh at, rebellious, spoiled, and/or immature kids, etc.
They even ripped off Lou Bega's "Mambo #5" for their advertisement. The song is way too similar.
It kind of looks like a chrysler badged fiat panda.