Chinese auto sales were likely to hit or surpass 10 million
units in 2008, Cai Weici, vice chairman of China Machinery Industry
Federation (CMIF) forecasted on Monday.
Official figures revealed that the country turned out 8.88
million automobiles in 2007, 22.02 percent more than the previous
year, surpassing the eight million prediction made at the beginning
of 2007.
Aggregate auto sales volume stood at 8.79 million, up 21.84
percent year on year.
Experts ascribed the robust sales growth to increasing market
demand, as a recent survey by the State Information Center revealed
more than 10 million Chinese households wanted to buy private cars
soon. This was boosted by rising incomes and falling car
prices.
The country is also stepping up its research and development of
clean energy vehicles, including electric, fuel cell and hybrid
automobiles, as energy saving and environmental protection has
become a key concern of the country, said the CMIF.
Commercial vehicle output volume stood at 2.50 million, up 22.21
percent compared with the previous year and passenger vehicle
numbers topped 6.38 million, up 21.94 percent year on year. This is
the first year that the growth rate of commercial vehicles has
surpassed passenger vehicles, according to the association.
Association statistics revealed domestic manufacturers had
released nearly 90 new models onto the market last year.
(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2008)
