Mainland customers are suspicious of Chinese products, but Haier is ahead of many foreign competitors in the quality of its products and, especially, its sales service.

ECONOMIST: China and the chaebol | The

But customers' loyalty to existing brands is so strong, says Mr Carbone, that foreign entrants would be attracted only if Brahma-Antarctica raised beer prices: hardly a desirable outcome for beer-drinkers.

ECONOMIST: Mergers in Brazil