China auto news this week(2007.07.09-2007.07.14)

Automakers are releasing their mid-term performance since the beginning of this month. Particularly in high-end market, several premium brand sales growth are far better than the average industry growth. However in low-end market, local brands are increasing their market shares, while forging brands are increasing their investment in developing small and mid segments models, who's taking the lion's share is still remained mystery.

the following are top news this week:


China: H1 sedan sales jump 25.92%
 
By Joanne   From:www.gasgoo.com July 09 2007

In spite of the seasonally flat market, the sales of sedan in the first half of this year jumped 25.92% to 2,286,900 units, according to the official statistics from CAAM, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the industrial watchdog.

Compared with last year, sales of the passenger vehicles grew by 22.26 percent to 3,084,100 units, which include sedans, sport utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles and crossovers.

During the first six months, the top ten best-selling sedan brands are---Santana (VW ), Jetta (VW), Excelle (Buick), Camry (Toyota), QQ (Chery), Xiali (Tianjin Xiali), Accord (Honda), Famly (Mazda), Elantra (Hyundai)and Focus (Ford). These ten models occupied 33.2 percent of the total sedan sales.

The top ten sedan manufacturers, based on sales volume, are FAW-VW, SAIC-VW, SAIC-GM, Chery, Dongfeng Nissan, Guangzhou Honda, Geely, FAW-Foyota, DPCA (Dongfeng Peugeot-Citron Automobile), Tianjin FAW. The ten automakers sold 1,461,100 units of sedans, accounting for 63.89 percent of the total sedan sales.




Benz (China) H1 sales increased by 38%
 
By Jorvan   From:www.gasgoo.com July 12 2007

Mercedes Car Group recently released 2007 H1 global sales. Mercedes-Benz brand H1 global sales set a new high, reaching 575,700 units.

In the Chinese market, including Hong Kong and Macao, Mercedes-Benz maintains steady growth, six-month cumulative sales exceeded 13, 500 units, with an increase of 28%. While the sales of mainland China along increased by 38%.

Data show that Mercedes-Benz's flagship products S series in mainland China has been sold more than 5, 000 units in the first half of this year, increased 50% y-o-y.

Mercedes-Benz's SUV models set an 86, 500 units' new sales record in the global market, increased 13% y-o-y.

Meanwhile, in mainland China, SLK sports car, CLK sedans and sports car, CLS sedans and SL sports car were sold more than 1, 100 units. 




Brilliance-BMW produce 15,000 vehicles at Shenyang for first half 2007

By Ally   From:www.gasgoo.com July 12 2007

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, a partner of BMW, said its sales at the Shenyang plant grew 48 percent year on year in the first half of 2007 to 15,165 units.

Brilliance Auto teamed up with BMW to make BMW 3 Series and 5 Series in the Shenyang plant in 2003, with an annual capacity of 30,000 units. According to early reports, the BMW 3 series include the BMW2.0L, 2.5L, 320i and 325i editions, and the BMW 5 series was also upgraded to cover three editions, offering more diversified choices for buyers. In addition, BMW 5 series Li, with four editions, went on sales last October.

The 50,000th units BMW car has just went up production line at the Shenyang plant on March 5, highlighting the great importance of the Shenyang plant to BMW's expansion in China.




Dongfeng Nissan sold 128,000 passenger vehicles for first half 2007
 
By Ally   From:www.gasgoo.com July 12 2007

Dongfeng Motor Co.,Ltd claimed the No.6 spot with sales of 128,168 passenger vehicles in the first six months, up 29% year on year. Market share of the company climbed 5.88%.

Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL) was formally established on June 6, 2003 as the result of the strategic cooperation between Dong Feng Motor Corporation (DFM) and Nissan Motors Co. It is the largest joint-venture project of its scale and the deepest and broadest scope in China's automotive industry.

Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, a subsidiary of DFL, has committed itself in the areas of R&D, production and sales of passenger vehicles. With production bases at Guangzhou Huadu and Hubei Xiangfan, Dongfeng Nissan has a sales target of 350,000 units within five years. The company has already made tremendous progresses over the past five years, with sales increase of 160% in 2005 and an output of 203,573 units in 2006.




Volvo (China) sales increased 81% y-o-y H1
 
By Jorvan   From:www.gasgoo.com July 11 2007

Volvo (China) Motor Corp announced 2007 H1 sales, Volvo cars sold in China increased 81% year on year. Especially, S40 monthly sales are increasing since the hot model was introduces in the beginning of this year.

In The past two years, Volvo business in China has been on fast track and maintained a growth rate of more than 50%. In Q1, Volvo Cars sales in China have increased 61%.

Volvo Corp. has always attached great importance to the Chinese market. In March this year, Volvo set a CEO post directly under the charge of HQ in China for the first time.




FAW-VW Audi sales surged in the first half year 
 
By Ally   From:www.gasgoo.com July 10 2007

FAW-VW Audi Sales Division announced recently sales of Audi vehicles have kept its strong growth momentum in the first half year, with 48,716 units sold in the first six months in mainland China, up 27% y-o-y, and it is worth noting that Audi also broke the sales record in June, with sales increase of 36% to 8,458 units.

The strong growth was led by A4 and A6, with 9,043 and 36,528 units sold between January and June. Sales of imported Audi A8L and Q7 were 1,624 in the first six months, and the April-launched Audi TT sport car has also reached sales of 110 units.

FAW-VW Audi Sales Division will continue to stimulate sales growth by launching new models, organising more value added test drive events as well as upgrading the network service.