What's hot in Chinese auto market?

It is said that U.S. carmakers will cooperate with Chinese automakers to sell cheap cars in America. I don't know if the U.S. is ready for cheap Chinese cars, but the Chinese auto market is absolutely a growing new star on the planet right now. Last year, the country's passenger car sales jumped 26%, to 3.1 million vehicles, and that pace accelerated to 60% in the first quarter of 2006. The mainland is now the world's third biggest in terms of total passenger car, truck, and commercial vehicle sales behind the U.S. and Japan. And foreign and Chinese auto makers are tripping over each other to turn out new or redesigned models to keep up with the white hot demand.
Here is a look at what's hot on the mainland.

Chery QQ

This popular Chinese compact is a bargain at about $5,000 and has improved greatly in quality and safety in recent years. It's a leader in the hotly competitive entry-level compact category, and may be exported in large numbers to the U.S. later in the decade.

Great Wall Safe SUV

Rugged and durable, the Great Wall Safe ($9,350) is ideal for cross-country trips outside of China's major urban centers. It gets good fuel efficiency for its class, and the Safe boasts plenty of interior space and cargo room.

Toyota Camry

Toyota will start production of its globally popular franchise sedan model in China starting in late May. No word on price yet, but Toyota thinks this could be a winner on the mainland. It already sells other models such as the Vios compact and the Reiz, Corolla, and Crown sedans. Toyota is aiming to boost its Chinese market share to 10% by early next decade, vs. 4% now.

Volkswagen Jetta

China is a crucial market for German auto maker VW, which has lost ground, and its once dominant market share. Still, Jetta remains one of its most reliably popular models on the mainland. It goes for about $12,225.

Chevrolet Lova

General Motors is in grim shape in North America, but not so in China. Sales for its Buick and Chevrolet offerings, including the new Lova compact ($10,225), are robust on the mainland. How did it come up with the name Lova? Last winter, GM held an online contest to come up with a name for the new Chevy.