Japanese brands topped sales lists in the Chinese auto market
last year as Japanese carmakers increased their investment in China
and brought out a raft of new models in a scramble for market
share.
About 983,600 sedans were sold under Japanese brands in China
last year, more than a quarter of the country's sedan sales of 3.83
million, according to a report by the China Association of
Automobile Manufacturers.
Sales of Chinese indigenous brands came within a hair's breadth
of their Japanese rivals with 982,800 units. European and American
brands followed.
Back in 2001, European brands held 53.8 percent of the market,
the Japanese had 15 percent and the Americans trailed with 8.1
percent.
But hot competition among multinationals and a vigorous domestic
industry have contributed to a very different situation in 2006.
The Japanese have their nose in front with 25.69 percent, Chinese
brands are in hot pursuit with 25.67 percent, European brands have
dropped to 24.44 percent and American brands risen to 14.17
percent, according to the report.
Japanese carmakers are latecomers to manufacturing in China, the
world's second largest car market after the United States, with
7.22 million new vehicle sales a year.
But Japanese brands have gained market share by tuning in to the
needs and aesthetic preferences of Chinese buyers, said analysts
with the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, citing
Honda Accord as an example that was introduced into China to fill
the gap in the market for high-end private cars.
Rather than wait for sales of old models to slump, Japanese
carmakers proactively ushered in new models to keep up with
changing market demands.
They sharpened their competitive edge by lowering production
costs and undercut their rivals in the Chinese market by making use
of the country's cheap labor, said analysts.
The newest Toyota Camry manufactured by the Sino-Japanese joint
venture Guangzhou-Toyota was priced at between 190,000 yuan
(US$24,360) and 260,000 yuan when it was launched last year, over
100,000 yuan cheaper than the imported model.
The booming sales of Japanese brands are also attributed to
their positive image associated with energy savings and high
performance, said analysts.
(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2007)