Chinese automaker shows driverless concept in Detroit

Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor today introduced a driverless concept car at the Detroit auto show, as well as a new sport-utility vehicle.

The concept car comes amid a feverish industry push to develop advanced autonomous vehicles.

"I feel confident that this extraordinary vehicle will lead the revolution of future car technologies," Wu Song, general manager of GAC Motor, said in a statement.

But the Guangzhou concept car will face significant skepticism among the world's biggest car companies. For starters, no Chinese automakers have managed to sell cars in the U.S. despite years of trumped-up expectations, and that's not expected to change anytime soon.

Still, China is the world's largest auto market, and the company's rapidly maturing auto industry is making headway in emerging markets.

Guangzhou called its driverless concept car the WITSTAR. It comes after Daimler revealed an autonomous concept car at the Consumer Electronics Show last week and Ford CEO Mark Fields said he expects competitors to introduce driverless cars within five years.

Guangzhou also revealed the GS4, what it described as a "fuel efficient" SUV to be sold under the Trumpchi brand.

GAC is among the most important automakers in China. It has a joint venture in China with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Production of the Jeep Cherokee through that joint venture is expected to begin by the end of this year.

In previous Detroit auto shows, Chinese automakers have made unrealistic promises of reaching the U.S. market within years. Guangzhou didn't go that far.

"The North American market is also one of our dreams," Guangzhou vice chairman Yuan Zhongrong told reporters in Detroit.

He said the company would eventually target a "new energy vehicle" for the North American market, but he did not provide details or timing.

Contact Nathan Bomey: 313-223-4743 or nbomey@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NathanBomey.