SAIC may become a member of World Top Ten

The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, Changan Automobile and other domestic auto companies have announced 2009 annual sales data. SAIC took the first place with the sales of 2.72 million units, followed by FAW and Dongfeng Automobile. New Changan Automobile failed to knock off the door of the top three, which once expanded its scale by acquisition, and was left behind by Dongfeng Motor.

In spite of that China's total vehicle sales data in 2009 has not been published yet, auto sales in China before November reached 12.43 million. Thus, it is can be predicted the annual sales may reach 13.60 million , propelling China to become the No.1 auto market in the world, and SAIC is expected to become a member of the world's top ten automotive groups.

Data released by Shanghai Auto shows that its passenger cars sales in 2009 were 1.6 million, with an increase of 57%, and commercial cars sales were 1.12 million, growing by 58%. According to the plan of SAIC, its car sales in 2010 will exceed 3 million units. FAW Group has not yet published its sales of 2009. But according to the figures published by the various sections under its charge, its final sales will be 1.96 million, which will hold the second place.

Sales of Dongfeng Motor Group were accumulated to 1.898 million with an increase of 43.6%. Compared with Guangzhou Automobile Group and Changan Automobile, Dongfeng Motor has not taken actions in 2009, whose increased sales were all contributed by business segments in their collective strength. Citroen Automobile, Dongfeng Peugeot and Dongfeng Nissan all gained growth of over 50%, and Dongfeng Honda and Dongfeng's commercial cars also received varying degrees of growth.

The total sales of Changan Auto's mini car, and self-brand passenger cars, Changan Ford, Changan Suzuki and Jiangling Motors reached 1.4 million. Sales of Hafei and Changhe Automobile recently took over by Changan were 305,000 and 158,000 respectively. Therefore the accumulated sales of Changan Automotive Group substantially upgraded to 1.863 million, narrowly left behind by Dongfeng Motor. Changan Auto still has long way to go to catch up with the three giants on sales and profits, though it has achieved the sales almost as much as Dongfeng and FAW group. Changan still focus on the business of micro cars with low added value and losses caused by Hafei and Changhe offset the operating performance of Changan.

It is hopeful that SAIC will be a member of the world's top ten automobile enterprises. It is the most cheering news in China's car market. The world's largest automotive group in 2008 are Toyota Motor, General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai - Kia, Honda, Nissan - Renault, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Fiat and Suzuki, of which PSA Peugeot Citroen's sales were 2.95 million, sales of Suzuki and Fiat were all below 2.7 million. All the listed auto companies except Volkswagen suffered decline in sales. Shanghai Automotive is expected to surpass Suzuki and Fiat as the world's ninth largest auto group. (Translator: Qinghua/Sailor)

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