Chinese automakers couldn’t have picked a better time to storm America’s shores. The Big Three (that’s GM, Ford and Chrysler) are, optimistically speaking, in troubled waters, and despite what your realtor has been telling you, our economy is on the way down, not the way up. But Americans still need cars, and getting a lot of car for a little money has never been so important. And that’s exactly where the people who brought you exploding cell phones, antifreeze toothpaste and lead-laden toys come in.

Why not? America is already depending on Beijing more than ever to cover the cost of a $700 billion bailout, and the Chinese now own a dollar for every $10 of U.S. debt. Oh, and China still has the world’s largest cash reserves (roughly $1.9 trillion), and labor that is among the cheapest on the planet. Bottom line? They’re poised to sweep the American car market as gracefully as the second hand of a fake Rolex.

But aren’t there quality-control issues, you ask? Believe it or not, there’s a chance the cars are not all garbage. China has taken smart advantage of foreign companies wanting to break into its budding domestic market by mandating partnerships with local car companies like BYD Auto and Brilliance Auto. To say the least, Chinese car companies have benefitted from working relationships with the more experienced imports — there are a number of signature cues once unique to a single manufacturer that are now visible in Chinese sheet metal. Presumably similar photocopies exist mechanically.

Meet Brilliance Auto, which has been in operation in China since 1991 and employs some 35,000 people. And if you’re thinking they’re not a threat, consider this: the company sells some 280,000 cars a year domestically alone. The brand also sells well in places like Europe, Russia and Egypt. For now, the company intends to bring at least two cars to the U.S. in three to five years, These might be versions of its successful luxury sedan, mildly attractive sports sedan, sporting coupe or economical hatchback. Brilliance would be further along, but faces problems with distribution, service and, of course, safety certification. Snicker though you may, but Hyundai was in the same position in 1985, and its Genesis sedan won car of the year at the Detroit Auto Show two days ago.

If Brilliance Auto is the veteran that has been established overseas for years, BYD is the young upstart, having been in business only since 1996. Despite this, they’re at the forefront of electric technology. Why, you ask? BYD is a battery maker — a big one. You may even have heard the name, thanks to such notable projects as the world’s first plug-in hybrid, and China’s first electric car — something that hit shows a year before Toyota unveiled its FT-EV Concept. This year the company unveiled an all-electric e6, which has a range of 250 miles, as well as the F6 DM, a dual-mode plug-in hybrid. Oh, and both those will be on sale in China later this year. Meanwhile, General Motors has been talking about the Volt since 2007, and sadly, it looks as if that car will be obsolete before it’s released.

Are you listening now? The Chinese aren’t fooling around anymore, and you can bet that when their products are ready to be released in America, the public will be ready to buy them.