- The first Caterham Sevens are scheduled to arrive in January in the Middle Kingdom.
- Local distributor CTI expects to sell 30-50 cars in the first year.
- The British sports-car maker also is considering whether to market the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R racercar in China through CTI.
CATERHAM, England — It's been a momentous year for Caterham Cars, the tiny British sports-car maker, which was acquired in April by Team Lotus and this week announced plans to begin marketing the iconic Caterham Seven in China through local distributor Courtenay Trading International (CTI).
Caterham said the first Sevens are slated to arrive in China in January and that CTI expects to sell 30-50 cars there next year through a modest network of six dealers.
Eventually, CTI will market the entire Caterham range, including the Roadsport 120, Superlight 120, Roadsport 175, Superlight R300 and CSR 175.
Caterham also is considering whether to market the Caterham-Lola SP/300.R racercar in China through CTI.
Last month, Lotus Cars announced its entry into China, through local distributor Lotus China Symphony.
Inside Line says: Given its connection with Group Lotus and the Formula 1 effort, Caterham could benefit from some additional publicity among the sports-crazy Chinese.
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mk2mark says:
07:21 PM, 08/01/2011
Funny you should mention locosts as I've built a car loosely based on one. I'd say it's unlikely there'll ever be a Caterham-locost though, since the locost chassis is specifically designed to not to require a jig (making it possible to build 1-off). Caterham also use a lot of specialised techniques building their cars like brazing which would be hard to emulate for an amateur, but maybe not so much for a Chinese plant.
icecubefosho says:
03:42 PM, 07/22/2011
Well they're probably opening up shipping the kits to China and shipping assembled CSR's there as well. I don't think its unfeasible and actually is a good idea from a business standpoint.
The funny thing is though, the Locost Seven market would love to get up close and personal with a real Caterham frame and whatnot and find ways to emulate them as most of the Chinese do. This might actually be a good thing for Locost-ers.
mk2mark says:
10:08 AM, 07/22/2011
I find this interesting as Caterhams are all hand built, I can't see how this could work logistically unless they're thinking of switching to a more automated production. This could have interesting implications for the rest of the world too if it means the cars become more affordable.
pchang, I'm guessing your distaste comes from not liking the appearance and not any specific experience with these cars. I can tell you first hand that these cars are the most fun you can have at legal speeds on the road. There is an incredible connection to the road and surroundings, and every speed feels twice what it is since you're so exposed and low to the ground. Not to mention the fact that they'll obliterate pretty much anything due to their low weight.
aston_dbs says:
08:22 AM, 07/22/2011
LOL...
The first Caterham driver in China probably will:
1. Choked by the air pollution
2. Ran over by a Semi Truck
3. Squashed by thousands of bicycles/motor cycles
Actually, with China's lunacy road manners... Good Luck for all drivers!!
pchang7 says:
08:01 AM, 07/22/2011
What a piece