Automakers pin hopes on big sales of minivans in China

Carmakers are banking on China’s extended families to help seven-seat minivans become the next big thing among mainland drivers, Reuters reported, citing figures from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. While they currently account for only 10% of China’s passenger car sales, January-October sales for minivans grew 7.8%, well above overall auto market growth of 1.5%. General Motors and its partners account for over half of all minivan sales in China, but rivals including Germany’s Volkswagen and local outfit GAC Motor have models in the pipeline for the mainland, where five-seat sport-utility vehicles now account for most passenger car sales growth.