Global automakers face fresh threats to their profits in China from domestic automakers SAIC and Geely, which are launching new models and marketing strategies to challenge better-known foreign brands in the world’s largest car market. SAIC, the country’s biggest automaker, wants to double sales of its fully owned domestic brands this year, albeit from a low base. “China success is the base of overseas market success,” said Zhang Liang, product portfolio planning director for SAIC Motor’s passenger vehicles operation. Zhang said SAIC’s MG and Roewe – brands based on technology acquired from bankrupt British car maker MG Rover – plan a total of five car models and nine sport utility vehicles, and would aim to offer quality comparable to global brands such as Nissan, but at a lower price. According to Reuters, a concept shown to reporters for an MG sports coupe it will exhibit at this week’s Shanghai auto show could pass for a Jaguar.
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