Auto show fuels firms' China fervor
By Staff Reporters |
April 24, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
New model launches, rosy first-quarter sales, optimistic forecasts -- Auto China 2010 rides on the country's strength as the world's biggest auto market, as car makers gear up to make their presence felt at the event.
Chery Automobile Co, China's biggest domestic auto brand, signaled its ambition to become a global player by signing Argentine football star Lionel Messi as an international ambassador to promote its brand.
Shanghai Automobile Industry Corp (Group) occupies 2,248 square meters to showcase its 14 models at the show, with the Roewe 350 and MG ZERO making their global debuts.
Nissan Motor Co debuted the all-new March compact car and the NV200 compact van. The March now is open for pre-sale and will be available in the market in the second half of this year. It will be produced by Dongfeng Motor Co, Nissan's local partner, at the Huadu factory which is set to become one of four production plants in Nissan's global production network.
"We expect our sales to reach 850,000 units in China this year, making it the second-largest market in Nissan's global sales," said Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.
Toyota Motor Corp plans to sell more than 710,000 units in China, beyond its 2009 sales.
Land Rover, manufacturer of all-terrain vehicles, also made a high-profile appearance in Beijing.
"Auto China 2010 represents a proud first for Land Rover as we showcase in China a full model range," said Phil Popham, managing director for the firm. "The show signals the entry of Land Rover's full fleet to the Chinese market and reflects our commitment to bringing world-class products to Chinese consumers."
China surpassed the United States as the world's biggest auto market for the first time in 2009 with sales of 13.6 million vehicles.
Experts consider this year's Auto China as one of the world's top car shows, ranking along those in Detroit and Tokyo.
The enthusiasm of auto makers at the Beijing show comes in contrast to the chilly weather at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in January in Detroit, car capital of the US.
Absent from the show in Detroit, auto makers such as Ferrari and Rolls-Royce are present at the Beijing show, which runs through May 2.
Fast, luxurious, and expensive cars are money spinners for auto makers such as Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce, as China's list of millionaires and billionaires continues to grow.
Ferrari unveiled the global debuts of its 599 GTO and 458 ITALIA in Beijing while the Maserati GranCabrio, the first four-seater convertible in the car maker's history, made its Asia debut.
The Asia Pacific market accounts for 20 percent of Ferrari's sales, with China as a key market. Jaguar's sales in China have accelerated 70 percent so far this year.
A key theme this year is clean transport, including cars and buses driven by fuel cells, natural gas and other alternative sources.
As car makers invest more and focus on green technologies, eco-friendly vehicles are a step closer for consumers to buy.
Chery Automobile Co, China's biggest domestic auto brand, signaled its ambition to become a global player by signing Argentine football star Lionel Messi as an international ambassador to promote its brand.
Shanghai Automobile Industry Corp (Group) occupies 2,248 square meters to showcase its 14 models at the show, with the Roewe 350 and MG ZERO making their global debuts.
Nissan Motor Co debuted the all-new March compact car and the NV200 compact van. The March now is open for pre-sale and will be available in the market in the second half of this year. It will be produced by Dongfeng Motor Co, Nissan's local partner, at the Huadu factory which is set to become one of four production plants in Nissan's global production network.
"We expect our sales to reach 850,000 units in China this year, making it the second-largest market in Nissan's global sales," said Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co.
Toyota Motor Corp plans to sell more than 710,000 units in China, beyond its 2009 sales.
Land Rover, manufacturer of all-terrain vehicles, also made a high-profile appearance in Beijing.
"Auto China 2010 represents a proud first for Land Rover as we showcase in China a full model range," said Phil Popham, managing director for the firm. "The show signals the entry of Land Rover's full fleet to the Chinese market and reflects our commitment to bringing world-class products to Chinese consumers."
China surpassed the United States as the world's biggest auto market for the first time in 2009 with sales of 13.6 million vehicles.
Experts consider this year's Auto China as one of the world's top car shows, ranking along those in Detroit and Tokyo.
The enthusiasm of auto makers at the Beijing show comes in contrast to the chilly weather at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in January in Detroit, car capital of the US.
Absent from the show in Detroit, auto makers such as Ferrari and Rolls-Royce are present at the Beijing show, which runs through May 2.
Fast, luxurious, and expensive cars are money spinners for auto makers such as Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce, as China's list of millionaires and billionaires continues to grow.
Ferrari unveiled the global debuts of its 599 GTO and 458 ITALIA in Beijing while the Maserati GranCabrio, the first four-seater convertible in the car maker's history, made its Asia debut.
The Asia Pacific market accounts for 20 percent of Ferrari's sales, with China as a key market. Jaguar's sales in China have accelerated 70 percent so far this year.
A key theme this year is clean transport, including cars and buses driven by fuel cells, natural gas and other alternative sources.
As car makers invest more and focus on green technologies, eco-friendly vehicles are a step closer for consumers to buy.
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