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Chinese knockoff automaker prepares to sell cars in US

Chinese knockoff automaker prepares to sell cars in US

The company's first American product will be an SUV that it intends to sell starting in 2020.

Chinese automaker Zotye has announced plans to begin selling vehicles in the US market.

The company is little known in the US, aside from media coverage focusing on its brazen knockoffs of German vehicles including the Porsche Macan and Volkswagen Touareg.

Lake Forest, California, has already been selected as the future home of Zotye USA's American headquarters. Vehicles will be sold via franchised dealers, though no local partners have been named.

The Chinese automaker's first US-bound vehicle will be an SUV. Specific details remain unclear, though the company claims the development process is already underway.

General Motors and Volvo have begun testing the waters with vehicles shipped from China factories to US showrooms. Both companies already have extensive dealer networks and sell the cars under their respective American and European brands.

Other Chinese automakers have tried and so far failed to directly enter the US automotive market. Dealer-franchise laws present a particular challenge to newcomers, and many American brands may be hesitant to form a partnership to pave the way for Zotye's launch plans.

Ford last year formed a joint-venture relationship with Zotye to build cars in China. There is currently no indication that the Blue Oval is reciprocating with help bringing Zotye to the US, however.