Nowadays it's not strange if a Chinese car passes by in the streets of the Egyptian capital Cairo, where the automobile market has traditionally been dominated by European countries and Asia's Japan and South Korea.
As an emerging auto producer in recent years, China has successfully exported cars marked with "Made in China" to the world market, including the populous Arab country of Egypt, which is one of the leading car consumers in the Middle East and North Africa.
Du Yibo, chief representative of China's Brilliance Automobile Co. Ltd. in Egypt, told Xinhua in a recent interview that nearly all types of vehicles made by Brilliance Auto have been imported into the Egyptian market since the company established its assembly line in cooperation with Bavarian Auto in Egypt in March, 2006.
"Egyptian consumers have gradually accepted Brilliance's cars as we exerted great efforts on developing the local market," said Du.
Focusing on expanding the international market, Brilliance Auto also debuted its SPLENDOR in Egypt in November this year.
Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., another leading car producer and exporter in China, also has its own factory in Egypt with an annual product capability of 25,000 units, which can be increased to 50,000 if necessary.
As the most populous country in the Middle East and North Africa, Egypt has a great potential in the sector of car consumption. The Egyptian economy has witnessed a driving boost in recent years, which will help lead to further development of the auto market, especially for private cars.
According to statistics, about 20 Chinese auto companies have sold their vehicles in the Egyptian market since 2003 with an annual sales volume of 3,000 to 4,000 units.
Compared with cars from Western auto giants such as Italy, Germany and France or Asia's Japan and South Korea, Chinese cars have relative lower prices, which is one of the most obvious advantages and is more acceptable for Egyptian consumers, an Egyptian dealer Mohamed El Bably said.
"Of course the Chinese cars have very good quality in additional to lower prices," said EL Bably, who is selling Chery's QQ, a very popular model of the company's vehicles.
According to Bably, the price for Chery's QQ is about 50,000 Egyptian pounds (about US$9,000), which is attractive for young man working in cities.
"My business is good," Bably said when asked about the selling of Chery's QQ.
Egypt, linking the Middle East and Africa, also has its strategic importance due to its unique geographic location on the map of the international auto market.
Du said Chinese car companies can take the advantage of Egypt's geographic importance to promote business in the region.
"Brilliance Auto is seeking further cooperation with the Egyptian side to meet the increasing need of the market," said Du.
(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2007)
