Chinese Automakers Ask for Help

By Elaine Kurtenbach

SHANGHAI, China -- While U.S. automakers plead for emergency loans from Washington, China's still-young car manufacturers also are appealing for their government's help amid a sales slump.

That support, they say, could come in the form of subsidies for technology development, easier-to-meet standards and better protection from intensifying competition.

"China is the last booming market nowadays, and foreign automakers are investing more money and building more factories here, threatening our own businesses," Xu Heyi, chairman of Beijing Automobile Industries , a partner with Hyundai Motor and Daimler(DAI Quote). ...