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Detroit Auto Show: Jalopnik Interviews China's Youngest Auto Executive

We're not here just to mock the Chinese Automakers for their Engrish press releases and to accept their nice tea sets. We're actually on the floor getting stories. Yesterday, we interviewed one of two American execs we could find for BYD Auto about the Ferrous Battery Powered Dual Mode Hyrbrid. And how do you get a job as an American exec for a Chinese auto company when you can't get a date to the prom? It sort of helps when you're dad is the company's American president. You can also read the story of our unprecedented, world-exclusive test drive with the company's Chairman around the floor of the Detroit Auto Show.

8:45 AM on Tue Jan 15 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,186 views
15 comments

Comments

FreeMan at 08:57 AM on 01/15/08
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His Engrish was very good!

I noticed the young lad kept checking over his shoulder, perhaps to see if the lady in blue was ready to accept his invitation to the prom?
Miscellanea at 09:12 AM on 01/15/08
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He gives a great interview, but its always best not to use the word "explode" when discussing your new wares on camera.
RawAutos at 09:18 AM on 01/15/08
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how old is that kid? my 10 year old nephew looks more grown up!
andymarkel at 09:26 AM on 01/15/08
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I thought only Teamsters could drive cars on the show floor?
Novaload at 09:45 AM on 01/15/08
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Don't they have child labor laws in Detroit?
Bowler Hat at 09:55 AM on 01/15/08
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That guy has more pimples than years.

Seriously though, he looks so much like that West kid I keep on expecting him to fly the fuck outta there.
Elhigh at 10:25 AM on 01/15/08
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Did they pull him out of Algebra to give his little interview?

He has potential as a public speaker, but not a lot. His preparation wasn't the best, and on-camera habits seemed very uncertain. I hope he's a better auto exec than talking head.

How the hell old is he, anyway? He looks seventeen, if that.
danio3834 at 11:07 AM on 01/15/08
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I find it horrific how the entire world is embracing China.

What a terrible, terrible country.
Al Navarro at 12:07 PM on 01/15/08
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@danio3834:
Xenophobia much?
skaz at 12:43 PM on 01/15/08
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@Al Navarro: Nothing to do with xenophobia. I don't like how most countries are run (including the US) but China gives me the serious chills.

It's a third-world nation with the money of a first-world nation and they don't care to change except to hand more power to corporations.
Stuntdriver at 01:43 PM on 01/15/08
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...and now the F6 DM....(three aplauses)...

this car is more exiting than a turtle crash...
Al Navarro at 01:52 PM on 01/15/08
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@skaz:
There are a lot of things about China and their exports that aren't great. I put the pollution of the Yellow River very high on the list.

Skaz are you danio, too...or just feel the same?
skaz at 02:08 PM on 01/15/08
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@Al Navarro: I'm not danio, he's flappy-headed.

So, therefore.. maybe he is a xenophobe. But I felt like I had to defend. For some reason.
sardonicbastard at 01:43 AM on 01/16/08
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So... are these guys full of shit or what? What do we know about this purported "Ferrous" battery technology? Sounds like a lot of smoke n' mirrors to me...
Youngchick at 02:18 AM on 01/18/08
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Hey .. for a young kid, I thought he did a bang up job for an on the spot interview....and he's kind of cute, too!