Horrible: Chinese Supercars Downscale, Lowly Silver Replaces Gold

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Carnewschina has another indicator that the Chinese bubble must be bursting somewhere, somehow. I mean, didn’t we just got used to a Bling Dynasty, where any self-respecting supercar owner had his Lamborghini Gallardo covered in gold? If Chinese must economize, then they choose a gold-plated Infiniti G37?

Those heady days appear to be coming to an end. Instead of gold-plated Gallardos, now there are – silver-plated Ferrari 458 Italias.

If the current Chinese slowdown turns into a recession, we might see bronze Porsches. Once it’s down to black A6, then you know: Busted!

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Mattfarah Mattfarah on Dec 22, 2011

    That is the most tasteless, classless Ferrari ever. I want one.

  • Old Guy Old Guy on Dec 22, 2011

    Every time I see references to "Carnewschina" I think it must be a site about pork meat, titled in Hispaño-German or some such.

  • Steve Biro I have news for everybody: I don't blame any of you for worrying about the "gummint" monitoring you... but you should be far more concerned about private industry doing the same thing.
  • MaintenanceCosts “Democrat” is a noun, not an adjective. The adjectival form is “Democratic.”
  • 3-On-The-Tree Alan I agree as well. I’m 100% permanent a total disabled and get VA disability and retirement pay. In all honesty I wanted to pull the pin multiple times because of how hard it was on the family but like you said the retirement was well worth it. And your other point was also spot on about our police and EMS personnel being honorable occupations. My son is in pre nursing at the University of Az, and in my other life I was a firefighter EMT, Army Reserve Medic enlisted.
  • SaulTigh I put about 3500 miles a year on a '95 Sable, and spent just under $700 on it last year (half of that being tires), but I wouldn't drive it to California (though I think there's an 70-80% chance it would make it).On the other hand, my Benz is going to run me $2000 just for tires next month, but rides and drives better than any other car I've ever owned and I would and have driven it all over hell and gone. Yes, there are cheaper cars to own and buy out there, but I've never enjoyed one this much. Worth it to me.
  • Jeff “After two years of asking and getting nothing, frustration is very high,” one person told&nbsp;Automotive News. “If they want to sell the vehicles direct, it’s going to be an incredibly difficult battle.”Works for Tesla.
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