Sales growth in China of imported cars slows down

Shanghai, November 17 (Gasgoo.com) In the first three quarters this year, sales of imported vehicles in China rose 16.9% to 246,000 units, with September the best month. Among this stable increase, Benz and BMW share the faster rise, while Lexus, Audi and Porsche saw the negative growth, reported Xinhua News today.

The general manager of China¡¯s Automotive Trading CO,. LTD said that compared to the 44% increase in 2008, the sales of imported vehicles this year have slowed down its increase speed. This may be caused by several factors, influenced by the regulation of sales tax, the continued economic crisis and the improper structural adjustment of product lineups.

In 2009, the German autos (excluding Audi) are the biggest winners¡±, said an analyst. The statistics show Benz¡¯s Jan-Oct sales soars 55% from a year earlier, up to 50,000 vehicles, followed by BMW¡¯s 45% rise and a total sale of 36,000 units in the same period. VW even represented a 75% sales bounce in the first ten months.

Benz S-class vehicles, along with BMW 730Li and X5, have performed well this year. The sales of VW Tiguan and Beetles vehicles have been boosted by the relatively favorable discount. The vehicles above are in short supply in the 2nd half of this year.

But Audi, while its locally-made vehicles have always sold well, witnessed a negative increase in sales of its imports this year.

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