China's Vehicle Sales Continue Double-Digit Growth
February 20, 2008

China’s vehicle sales continued to grow by double digits in January, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Economic growth and falling prices made cars affordable to more people.

Vehicle sales, including trucks and buses, totaled 859,400 in January for a 20 percent increase over the previous year. Chinese consumers bought 661,900 cars in January.

Volkswagen’s Jetta and Santana compacts were the month’s best sellers; Hyundai’s Elantra ranked third.

The weeklong Chinese New Year holiday, which began on February 6 — about two weeks earlier than last year — helped boost January car sales as drivers bought vehicles before China's busiest travel period.

China FAW Group Corp., which makes cars for Volkswagen, was the biggest automaker in January, followed by SAIC Motor Corp., the joint-venture partner of both Volkswagen and General Motors, and Dongfeng Motor Corp., a partner with Honda and Nissan.

Average passenger-car prices fell 3.75 percent in January from a year earlier, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in China (January 2008)
1.   Jetta     25,100       FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co.
2.   Santana 19,800       Shanghai Volkswagen Co.
3.   Elantra  18,000       Beijing Hyundai Motor Co.
4.   Excelle  16,700       Shanghai General Motors Co.
5.   Xiali      15,300       Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co.
6.   QQ        15,100       Chery Automobile Co.
7.   Corolla  15,000       Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co.
8.   Camry   12,600       Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co.
9.   Focus     12,300       Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co.
10.  Sagitar 11,600       FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co.
Source: China Association of Automobile Manufacturers

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