China is the world's third largest vehicle market and Shanghai
GM accounts for about 50 percent of General Motors' sales in the country. Shanghai GM also assembles Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles. Calendar year 2005 was a record year for the Asian manufacturer with 325,429 vehicles being sold. North American competitor Ford Motor Company also had a stellar year in China with sales rising by 46 percent to 82,225 vehicles. Europe's number one carmaker, Volkswagen AG, had a rough 2005 in the world's largest nation. It saw its market share fall from 25.2 in 2004 to 17.3 in 2005. And tougher times for may lay ahead for GM as well.
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reported in the China Daily: "Shanghai General Motors Company's sales will increase about 20 per cent this year, down from a 29 percent gain in 2005", states Gubbey. "China's passenger car market may grow by 16 percent this year after increasing by 23 percent last year. Chinese auto sales grew by more than 60 percent about three years ago. Since then there has been a lot more wait-and-see than expected, and now we're reaching a much more stable level of growth."
However, in a statement issued by GM, Gubbey believes there is still a lot of room for growth. "Of every 1,000 drivers, only 20 own a car in China, compared with 700 in North America and 500 in Europe".
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| The interior of Chinese-market LaCrosses is more in tune with the Buick nameplate than our own! (Photo: Shanghai-GM) |
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| Speaking of Chinese vehicles, it's nearly impossible to forget Brilliance's very nice looking Jinjue, built and engineered in China. (Photo: Brilliance Auto) |
However, in a statement issued by GM, Gubbey believes there is still a lot of room for growth. "Of every 1,000 drivers, only 20 own a car in China, compared with 700 in North America and 500 in Europe".
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