Jeep Wrangler Dragon concept slithers into Beijing: Motoramic Dash

Welcome to the Motoramic Dash, a quick read of the top stories around the automotive world this morning.

We'll have more from the Beijing Motor Show this morning, but the day shouldn't pass without noting the lengths Chrysler and Jeep will go to boost their appeal among Chinese customers. Such as: The Jeep Wrangler Dragon Design Concept, a four-door hardtop Wrangler bedecked with bronze-gold accents and a big old dragon slithering across the hood and doors. You have to start somewhere.

Like all automakers, Chrysler wants to boost sales in China. Unlike most other automakers, Jeep has been sold in China for decades, with the first joint-venture plant established in 1983. Unfortunately for Chrysler, its de-merger with Daimler and bankruptcy ended its in-country output just as the Chinese market became the world's largest. While Fiat has since restarted some Jeep output, the company has to rely on North American exports for now, until it finds a cheaper, closer solution.

Hence models like the Dragon Wrangler and the Chrysler 300C Ruyi, meant to advertise to Chinese buyers that the companies are back. The Ruyi adds the 427th version of the 300 grille (give or take) plus some other home-market touches, but doesn't approach the level of ... eye-catching additions of the Jeep, which includes gold-trimmed seats and more lizard-themed tattoos than a fraternity mixer. If Jeep doesn't build it for China, it could sell a few here for sheer entertainment purposes.

Other automotive news today:

Luxury automakers expect China to keep growing: Last year Chinese shoppers bought 18 million new cars and trucks. "Conservative" forecasts say that will rise to 30 million by 2020. (Reuters)

U.S. regulators to examine electric-car battery safety: A few predictions for the meeting called by federal auto safety regulators for May 18: There will be no donuts, lots of talking and a call for more studies. (Bloomberg)

Detroit not a deterrent in hiring talent, GM says: "I would say the No.1 comment would be, 'I didn't realize how nice it was.'" Cheap housing to boot. (Ward's Automotive)

Bahrain F1 can't hide stalled reforms: The Bahrain Grand Prix went off without incident, but shots of the stands showed them mostly empty. The struggles will continue long after the racers leave. (Financial Times)