Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 15) - As the domestic automobile industry continues to struggle, Chinese imports have grown again in the first five months of the year, nbd.com.cn reported today. Exports from January to May totaled 330,000 units, 38 percent higher than the same period last year. In May alone, 69,525 vehicles were imported, 34.2 percent higher than the amount imported in May 2010.
Wang Cun, head of marketing and sales for the China Automobile Trading Company, pointed out that import rates in both the sedan and SUV grew in May, with sedan imports alone growing over 34 percent at 25,983 units. Imports look set to continue growing in the near future, as well.
Mr. Cun also pointed out how Chinese appetite for luxury goods was a key factor behind the increase in foreign vehicle sales, with imports of luxury vehicles growing 47.2 percent in the month. BMW and Mercedes-Benz continued to lead the luxury vehicle sales rankings, followed by Volkswagen, making its first appearance in the top three. Lexus meanwhile fell out of the top ten for the first time due to continuing supply problems from the Japanese earthquake earlier this year.
Rao Da, head of the China Passenger Car Association, predicts that imported vehicles may exceed 1 million units this year.
