Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 9) - Sales in Beijing's automobile market for the first half of this year were nearly 60 percent lower than that of January to June of last year, China Business News reported earlier this week. However, the 150,000 vehicles sold were more than expected, with second quarter sales showing positive growth.
The figures differ greatly from the country as a whole, whose first half sales results this year were slightly higher than those in 2010 (6.64m units sold compared to 6.31m units). The Beijing sales, which were collected by China Automobile Dealers Association Analyst Su Hui, were influenced specifically by government policies, such as the registration plate lottery, implemented in the capital.
According to analysts, sales look to decrease further in the latter half of the year, with only the luxury and imported cars segments looking to maintain a relatively good performance.
Ma Deji, director of sales for Chinese manufacturer Chery, believes that his company will be able to fulfil its 2011 sales target, growing 10 percent. Head of J.D. Power Asia Pacific China Zeng Zhileng agreed, saying that "the positive factors are greater than [other ones]." Mr. Zeng said that the market may rebound as a result.
