Growth of Tianjin lower than national level

　　2009Automotive Consumption Survey of Tianjin White Paper

　　According to information from Tianjin Daily, in the year of 2009, Registration volume of passenger vehicles in Tianjin reached 181,594, surging by 31.68 %compared with the previous year, which meant last year, there were 498 new passenger cars in Tianjin every day.

　　Low-emission vehicles accounted for 70%

　　According to the relevant person in charge of Tianjin Airport Auto Park, in 2009 Tianjin auto market demonstrated strong regional characteristics. During this year, registration volume of passenger vehicles in Tianjin reached 181,594, among which domestic cars were 175519 units, accounting for 96.65% and growing by 32.03% compared to the previous year while imported cars were 6075, accounting for 3.35%and surging by 22.33%compared to the year before.

　　In these models, the domestic cars occupied an absolute dominant position, accounting for 94% of the total registration volume. Besides, influenced by the policy of halving purchase tax of low-emission passenger vehicles last year, the sales of 1.6 liters or lower displacement cars accounted for 77% of the total sales.

　　In terms of the types of vehicles, as cars are getting popular within the working-class, sedan has become a leading power in Tianjin domestic passenger car market. among domestic passenger cars registered in 2009 in Tianjin, sedans accounted for 94%, SUV 2% and MPV 4%. Mid-size cars with a price of 80,000 to 15,000 RMB and displacement of 1.6-2.0L are becoming the first choice of consumers in Tianjin.

　　The products of local manufacturers such as Tianjin FAW are still the main powers in the market. In the car segment, as for small cars charge less than 100,000 RMB, Tianjin FAW Xiali is definitively a market leader, followed byWei Chi, Volkswagen Jetta, BYD F3.

　　Referring to import cars, SUV and sedan take up the leading position in Tianjin market, accounting for 94%. In terms of the emission, influenced by the rising consumption tax of large-displacement cars in 2008, the sales of medium and small displacement vehicles increased so drastically that imported cars with a displacement of less than 3.0L accounted for71.7% of the total registration volume. No matter sedans or SUVs, the proportion of lower than 3.0L displacement passenger cars is larger than higher ones.

　　Popular imported cars charge more 100,000 RMB

　　Since most car models especially whose displacement is below 1.6L are in shortage in 2008, the market has been relatively strong. Therefore, the profit of one single car also reached a new high within these years.

　　According to statistics of Tianjin Airport Auto Park, in 2009 the most pressing need is models of Tianjin Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen, particularly whose displacement is below 1.6L, such as POLO, Sunny, Bora, Sagitar 1.4T, Golf6. In addition, the performance of domestic new SUV models represented by RAV4 and Highlander were also quite eye-catching. The circumstances occurred that consumers were willing to pay more for some models.

　　Similarly, since transnational corporations had no adequate preparation for China auto market, imported cars were also in short supply. The prices of Porsche Models were increased by 100,000 RMB, Land Rover Range Rover 80,000 RMB, BENZ-ML 50 000-80,000 RMB. It is always very common to be charged more if consumers want to get the cars immediately.

　　Growth rate lower than the national level

　　From January to October in the year of 2009, Registration volume of passenger vehicles in Tianjin was 139 943, of which domestic passenger 135 231, accounting for 96.63%; imported passenger 4712, accounting for 3.37%. The growth rate of both domestic and imports cars were below the national 44% and 16.5% level. The slowdown was similar to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. However, Tianjin Automotive market still has strong regional characteristics, mainly for the following three areas:

　　1. Accounting for more than 94% of the total registration volume, sedan occupied an absolute dominant position. In terms of the types of vehicles, as cars are getting popular within the working-class, sedan has become a leading power in Tianjin domestic passenger car market. Among domestic passenger cars registered January to October in the year of 2009 in Tianjin, sedans accounted for 94.14%, SUV4.16%and MPV 1.70%.

　　2. Sedans with a displacement of lower than 1.6 L, was the strongest driving force in Tianjin, accounting for more than 76% of the total. Influenced by the halved consumption tax of cars with a displacement of lower than 1.6 L, the sales of domestic small displacement vehicles increased so drastically that registration volume reached 76.11% of the total from January to October.

　　3. Brands such as Tianjin FAW, FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen and FAW Toyota remains the main force in Tianjin Auto market. In terms of the registration volume, the top five of domestic car brands were: Tianjin FAW 25 978, FAW-Volkswagen 16412, Shanghai Volkswagen 9026, FAW Toyota 7573 and Dongfeng Nissan 6690.

　　SUV dominated the import car market

　　As the old saying goes, first come, first served. Being the largest base of imported cars, in Tianjin the demands for imported SUV has been kept rising.

　　Imported SUV dominated the imported car market in Tianjin, accounting for more than 50% of the total registration volume. Car model considered, SUV was also the main strength of Tianjin imported cars market. From January to October, SUVs accounted for 51.25% of the total registration volume of imported passenger vehicles, sedans 42.38%, MPVs 6.37%. Subaru, Toyota and Mitsubishi were the main brands imported inTianjin, and most were compact SUV. Referring to the registration volume, the top five imported SUVs were: Subaru 484, Toyota 293, Mitsubishi 191, Hyundai 179 and BMW 178.

　　The first 10 months of last year, 3.0-liter displacement or lower imported cars accounted for 72% of the total registration volume of imported cars. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus were still the top three brands in Tianjin imported car market. From January to October, the top five of imported sedan brands in Tianjin were: Mercedes-Benz 423, BMW 298, Lexus 241, Mazda 192 and Volkswagen 163.

　　（translator：Yalong/ Jessie）

　　See original Chinese report Please click：http://auto.sohu.com/20100421/n271661912.shtml