Ten Chinese carmakers make no car in '07-'08

Shanghai, February 13 (Gasgoo.com) Up to 2008, China had more than 130 auto-making companies. The top 10 carmakers by sales in 2008 sold 7.82 million vehicles last year, accounting for 83% of China's total auto sales in the year. The other more than 100 auto companies sold less than 1.6 million vehicles, and 10 of these carmakers made no car in the past two years, said sina.com today, citing industry figures.

The statistics of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed that there were nearly ten automakers in China posted "zero-production" in 2007 and 2008. These companies were: Sanyi Auto, CITIC Machine, Guangzhou Baolong Auto, Shenyang Fusang Heibao Auto, Jilin Tongtian Auto, Changzhou Yingtian Auto, Chery Commerical Car (Anhui), Fujian Bamin Auto, Yunnan Jinma Machinery, and Guizhou Youngman Lotus Auto.

Besides, four other automakers -- Wuhan Zhongyu Auto, Chongqing Jialing Chuanjiang Auto, Yunnan Jinma Agricultural Vehicle and Shaanxi Aircraft Industry Group -- produced no vehicles in 2008, said the CAAM.

Reportedly, Chinese carmaker Youngman Auto saw the Lotus RCR model rolling off line on December 6 at its Guizhou facility Guizhou Youngman Lotus Auto. This marks the Chinese carmaker's capability to assemble and produce the Lotus model and the Guizhou carmaker's pulling out of the "zero-production" ranks.

"Zero-production" can serve as a wake-up call not only to these carmakers themselves, but also to their regulatory bodies who should speed up the eliminating process of unqualified carmakers and the streamlining of China's auto industry according to the market's selection.