There comes a point I am apparently travelling somewhere. Nevertheless, usual culture subject for me is also, for obvious reasons - a car. I'll try to deviate from the usual aspects that have been long discussed all over the web, including architecture, food, economy and arts this time.
With this said, I have come up with my own idea how to put my thoughts on a screen, in a fashion of a pattern. Here are my five points:
Stereotype (1) – significant sterotypical vehicle or aspect of some sort.
The truth (2) – confirms or denies abovementioned ideas existence.
National car (3) – my nomination of current national car that represents their culture.
Taxicab (4) – the most common vehicle that is used for cab services.
Three things that I familarised with this country (5) - well, the name says all, doesn't it?
We will start off this segment with CHINA (or GAINA in dolan trump voice). All pictures are courtesy of me, while being there in 2016. It was a true delight, definitely a must for a second visit. Stayed for most of the time in Bejing, including short excursions to Tianjin and Shanghai.
"Just few more steps to reach the top" was the most common phrase we had to tell ourselves at the Great Wall.. and now back to the point.
Stereotype: Overcrowded with Zhing-Ling Motors and Beijing Motor Vehicle (BMV) knockoffs. With all due respect, these were both, fake, made up "chinese" brands circulating in my mind.
The truth: Almost true – lots of new relatively unknown local manufacturers, such as JAC, BYD or similar three letter combos reflecting nothing, but uncertainty in the virtual car encyclopedia. From all of the local misery brands, for instance, FAW stands out as being in essence a Joint Venture with Volkswagen. That does proves the point that globalisation has arrived: locally manufactured, designed in Germany. One of such example is Magotan - being Passat B6 with a different name.
There is one thing that is very uncommon as compared with the other world – long wheelbase versions of regular sedans. How about a BMW 330iL? No problem. Mercedes E300L? You got it. Audi A4L??? Heck, that is the only choice to have. This white exibit is parked at their 'Automobile Decoration' washing circle. Wonder what happens next.
It may seem very strange, but the marketing people have proven long wheelbase models to be quite the USP. As it turns out, people with at least some kind of status in the society is willing to be chauffeured in the city, yet that means not all of them can afford 7-series, the usual suspect for businessman chaffeuring as supposed logically. The other rare and interesting aspect is that in general, Asian domestic markets get some relatively strange engine configurations, usually on the lower side of the range while we Europeans can foam ourselves in rattling diesel suds. Indeed, none of the diesel variations in common passenger vehicles have made their way into China, I do suspect nowhere close in the near future or never.
Take this 730Li for an example. While most of the world got petrol V8 as a base model - a 4-liter 302HP designated 740, they got N52 3-liter straight-six with quite modest 258HP. The same strategy of different Asia-only models goes on for a lot of manufacturers due to different emissions regulations, sulphur levels in fuel and so on.
National vehice: Being slowly assimilated with the local car market and even stumbling upon some Qoros SUV presentation below, did not notice that much percentage of hideous knockoffs, as suspected in all our western laid dreams. Yet still, they do exist and the model design itself can borrow some significant elements from some of the well esteemed brands.
I would put my bet on something that represents Chinese global power, their willingness to innovate and and yet has to be available in masses for affordable amount. With this in mind, I would say HAVAL. I am not kidding, they call their manufacturer - Great Wall. Great Wall Haval - the M4 model. And it is not that shabby car, judging from many aspects.
Image: http://www.gwm-global.com/greatwallm4.html
No puns for "Fashionable Orange" paintjob name.
Taxicab: Depending on the city- Bejing has most commonly Hyundai Elantras in green and orange stripe livery followed by VW Santana's (of course I meant – FAW-VW Santana's). The biggest issue with taxicabs are that they with all seriousness do not understand a word in English. Neither you can point a finger on the map, that may not work. Most likely, drivers have alarmingly high illiteracy rates, traditionally being guest workers from countryside (at least that is what our guide told us). Here is one Elantra equipped with RED STAR Communist alert button.
Three things I familiarise with this country:
(1). Keeping things easy. All of the people are going somewhere, may it be honking or ignoring lane structure, but weirdly all of them are finding their way in the overly congested streets with such a variety of transportation, being no strange act to see packed bike side by side with late model golden wrapped Merc.
(2). A LOT of cars have carton of tissue box placed on their dashboard. Not to mention, this box ruins the lovely but ascetic, Feng Shui look of any car interior. Next I believe, comes a superstitious item attached to their four wheel carriage - a red band covering one of the spikes of the wheel. Indeed, may it be somebody local can explain this to us, please.
(3). I am sorry - dear Chinese people - but your car naming traditions are just plain rubbish. I just retract Clarkson pointing out this issue already once at his shows, once again, none of your car names, including this jibberish - does not make sense. I would seriously recommend outsourcing this task to Italians or Germans.
In the end, to conclude my rant: boy, China is one great culture shock and in a good sense :)
Rolling the high life!!!1 Sponsored by 5$ GOLDEN ROLEX.
Thanks for reading, enjoy,