For a while, we all thought the Chinese were a backwards people who all traveled on bicycles and rickshaws. And to a degree, they really were because the local government discouraged people from owning automobiles, deemed to be a sign of excess and opulence from the West. Less than one person in a thousand owned a car in China.
But as their exports became more and more popular and the economy grew, so too did their love for automobiles. The market grew in leaps and bounds to the point where it's now the biggest in the world by volume.
Don't think they've made it? Think again, because the Chinese now have their own Top Gear program, locally produced and based on the tried and tested formula used by the world's most popular car show.
It looks like normal Top Gear, it even has the same theme song composed all those years ago, but the presenters are not Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
The first episode was released onto the Chinese screens two weeks ago, via the state-run Dragon TV network. The Chinese presenter line-up is far from being stale and Communist. In fact, they seem to be more fun than their American and Australian equivalents, not to mention far younger than Clarkson.
The first series includes everything we expect from the BBC people. It's got an epic car race, crash testing with humans behind the wheel, spectacular helicopter shots and, yes, the best supercars.
Editor's note: I can't even understand them and it still looks more enjoyable than Top Gear USA. Way to go China!
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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