American Wheels, Chinese Roads: The Story of General Motors in China

It’s not that long ago but it is history. Also I am, like Mike Dunne the author of American Wheels, Chinese Roads, not in the first flush of youth anymore and so I should remember that most foreigners hustling around China passing themselves of as experts on the Middle Kingdom these days were still at school when we all marvelled at GM being the first company to slap down a cool billion bucks in China. I confess to knowing Mike, and, when it comes to cars (things I personally loathe and would abolish thereby saving thousands of lives from idiots and drunks behind the wheel as well as the planet and getting people to exercise a bit more and not be so obese) he knows more most others and, when it comes to cars in China, he’s the font of all wisdom. This is a great history of GM’s ride in China and actually starts a little shelf of books about cars and China including Jim Mann’s great Beijing Jeep, Peter Hessler’s Country Driving and Martin Posth’s 1,000 Days in Shanghai – The VW in China Story.

As usual cover and blurb below.

How could one company—General Motors—meet disaster on one continent and achieve explosive growth on another at the very same time? While General Motors was hurtling towards bankruptcy in 2009, GM’s subsidiary in China was setting new sales and profit records. This book reveals how extraordinary people, remarkable decisions and surprising breaks made triumph in China possible for General Motors. It also shows just how vulnerable that winning track record remains. No small part of GM’s success in China springs from its management of shifting business and political relationships. In China, the government makes the rules for—and competes in—the auto industry. GM’s business partner, the City of Shanghai, is both an ally and a competitor. How does such an unnatural relationship work on a day-to-day basis? Where will it go on the future? General Motors also engages in constant battles with other global and Chinese car makers for the hearts of demanding Chinese consumers. Dunne gives us rare glimpses into the mindsets and behavior of this new moneyed set, the worlds newest class of wealthy consumers. China is already the number one car market in the world. During the next ten years, China will export millions of cars and trucks globally, including to the United States. American Wheels, Chinese Roads presents readers fascinating illustrations of what to expect when Chinese cars, companies, and business people arrive on our shores.