Gasgoo.com (Shanghai January 25) - In its forum on current development trends of the Chinese automobile market, Sun Yong, vice general manager of the China Automobile Trading Company, reported that 2010 saw a 84% increase in imported vehicles from the previous year, with a total of 650,000 foreign cars sold. Furthermore, half of those sales were SUVs.
Mr. Sun went on to say that "difficulties in purchasing [foreign] luxury cars" and "SUVs' position growing ever more stable" were two defining points of 2010. The numbers reflected this: SUVs accounted for 57.2% of all imports last year, according to bjnews.com.cn. He said that when it came to brand structure, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus made the top three.
"Last year, in accordance with the government's environmental policies multinational enterprises increased exports of vehicles under 3.0L," Mr. Sun said. "Among them, 1.5L to 2.5L cars received the most attention, with their market share increasing from 18.9% to 28.5%." He predicts that impost will continue to maintain positive growth, as well as become more energy-saving and environmentally friendly. In addition, SUVs will continue to constitute greater share of the market. Mr. Sun also believes that foreign companies will continue to further explore second and third tier markets within the country.
