China's government said Wednesday it aims to expand its exports of automobiles and automobile parts by an average of 10% a year through 2011, and is targeting US$85 billion worth of automobile and automobile parts exports a year by 2015.
The country exported about US$30.2 billion worth of automobiles and automobile parts in 2008, six government agencies said in a joint statement posted on the Ministry of Commerce's Web site.
China's automobile products have competitive advantages in the international marketplace, and there is enormous potential demand, said the agencies, which included the commerce ministry, the economic planning agency and the industry ministry.
China will encourage exports of both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, the statement said, adding manufacturers should shift their target export markets from the low end to the middle and high end.
The government will encourage local automobile companies to invest overseas and set up plants abroad, the statement said.
Chinese companies should establish overseas research centers and sales networks to boost their exports, it added, without saying how the government would support such moves.
"(China) will actively support the exports of energy-saving vehicles and new energy vehicles," the statement also said.
