China becomes the largest mini-bus manufacturer

America Bank senior analyst Joseph Quinlan said recently that mini-bus output in China reached the top globally, exceeding that of America for the first time. Thus China has one more product to reach the first place on the output list.

America Bank revealed that mini-bus output in China were 5.2 million units, far surpassing the 4.4 million in America, but regarding the SUV and mini-van, America can maintain its leading position. Quinlan predicts China's auto production growth may bring great concern from America.

Statistics from China Auto Industry Association show that self-brand sedans sales in January increase by 16.95% compared with the prior month to 126,700 units, accounting for 30.57% of the total sedan sales.

Self-brand vehicle market share increased by 5 percent on average, followed by Japanese generation cars of 107,400 sales, 25.90% of the total; German, US, Korea, France and Italian car sales are 70,500, 55,300, 31,200, 20,300 and 3,000 units, taking 17.01%, 13.34%, 7.54%,4.90% and 0.73% of total sales.

According to China’s policies on auto industry, self-brand vehicles are to account for 60% market share of passenger vehicles. Currently Chery, Geely sales are listed as the top ten domestic sellers, and this year self-brand sedans from NAC and SAIC are also expected to grow. Market shares of self-brand mini-buses have exceeded 90%.

In January auto sales saw a rapid growth, an increase of 12.60% to 761,900 compared with the prior month; sales dropped by 5.47% to 717,100 units.