Before we came to China, we knew the company would be purchasing a new car for us.
Knowing we had two daughters, they suggested we have a minivan instead
of a Toyota Camry. We were given a choice, a Honda Odyssey or a Buick.
We opted for the Odyssey, since we liked ours so well.
The company decided a Buick would be better for our needs.
We didn't know if that meant that since Buicks are made here in China
it was better for the company to buy locally--so they could build "guanxi"
which means "good relations".
Then we saw a Honda Odyssey.
I think the wheels are the same, and so are the bumpers,
but the rest of the car is unrecognizable. Much smaller than our Odyssey
stored back in Idaho!
About 2 weeks ago, our Buick was delivered.
It too is much shorter than an American minivan--
maybe because most Chinese are shorter.
And there's Kevin's spot--on the passenger side.
And our license. I had to memorize it so I could recognize
our car when coming out from the grocery store.
Leather heated seats. (I'm looking forward to that
come winter!) And built-in entertainment center--but the DVD player isn't working
and we have no idea why or if it will get fixed.
Add to our list of discoveries about Chinese drivers:
they don't read owner's manuals
and don't know how to do minor car repairs (like change a tire).
They just drive.
A month ago, Kevin was on his way to work and saw that one
of the tires was low as he got in the car. He mentioned it
to the driver who said it wasn't a problem.
Ten minutes later, they were at the side of the road with a flat.
(Well, they weren't actually at the side of the road.
When a car stalls or has a flat they just stay in the lane they were
in and traffic flows around them.)
It took the driver 40 minutes to figure out how to
operate the jack (first the car went up, then down, then up again...);
and Kevin was wondering if he should get out and help the driver, or
if that would cause him (the driver) to lose face.
(And it was safer inside the car!)
So, the new car is nice. New smell. In-dash navigational unit (that the driver
won't follow). But when he's backing up, a display shows what is behind
the car (from a camera). Pretty cool!
I was hoping for an input
for a MP3 player or iPod, or at least a memory stick.
Nope. Only a CD player. Drats!
All in all, not too bad.
Protecting the ego of others takes a lot of restraint. And from what you've explained, that's quite important in the Chinese culture.
ReplyDeleteDoes that Buick have sliding doors? It looks like the Honda had car doors, like our Espace. And it's interesting that between an American or Japanese car, the 'American' one was picked, since it was made in China.
ReplyDeleteAs for the DVD player, is it a NTSC all regions one, or will it only play Chinese DVDs (NTSC/C)? That could be a reason it's not working. Unless it doesn't turn on at all, and then that's another problem entirely. :)
I love your new car. This will be fun! Nice to be able to get around. How do you let your driver know you want him "James, please bring the car around at 5" or something like that?
ReplyDeleteGlad you have your own, clean-smelling car now!
ReplyDeleteIf you want I'll send you a UNI sticker for your rear window to help with spotting your car ;)
ReplyDeleteYes! I miss my "piano key"s magnetic ribbon. That's the only way I could tell my beige Honda Odyssey from all the other ones in the parking lot!
ReplyDeleteAnd Justin, our doors slide open, (but the windows roll down). I think you are right about the regular doors on the Honda. At least we have an automatic sliding door on one side (and a muscle door on the other).