Ford’s Chinese auto joint venture partner in China, Jiangling Motors Co. Group, is planning to raise its presence in Europe next year to 500 car dealers. The company obviously believes it can do well there.

If China can sell vehicles on a continent of well-built cars from German, French, and US manufacturers, investors in US car companies have ask why the would not enter the US market soon if sales in Europe continue to rise.

As car dealers selling failing US brands look for volume to keep their doors open, inexpensive, fuel-efficient cars from China could fit the bill.

Some obervers say the Chinese cars are not sturdy enough. They said that about Hondas years ago, too.

Douglas A. McIntyre can be reached at douglasamcintyre@247wallt.com. He does not own securities in companies that he writes about.