Chinese Test Europe

Two independent Chinese auto makers approached the recent Paris auto show as if they were taking a swim.

Jiangling Motors Co. Ltd. dove in with its Landwind SUV, while Great Wall Motor Automobile Holding Co. Ltd. dipped its toes into the water.

Jiangling is a subsidiary of Changan Auto Co. Ltd., which produces 600,000 units annually and has partnerships with Ford Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp. Great Wall is a light-truck maker with gasoline engines powered by Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Landwind Motor Corp., the European Landwind distributor, hopes to have the Landwind X6 SUV on sale in January at 80 French dealerships. The vehicle is being localized to meet Euro IV exhaust emissions.

In Paris, the auto maker introduced a compact minivan, designed in China by an Italian designer, that will compete with the Renault Scenic.

Great Wall, a private auto maker in China's Hebei province, will use reaction at the show to help decide when to enter the French market.