China’s auto industry has come a long way since General Motors Corp. set up its first factory in China in a brand new industrial zone in Shanghai just over a decade ago. The zone has expanded and many others have opened.
With monthly vehicle sales topping those in the U.S. so far this year, China is now an auto power in its own right — though foreign joint ventures still dominate.
A point of personal interest. The writer has just bought a splendid Honda Jazz. Although it is in every way the Japanese car makers pride and joy (and mine) and has all the hallmarks of Honda quality, it was built in China.
Honda has been successfully exporting its Jazz compact car from China to Europe since 2005.
Now, a possible move by GM to export cars built here to its home U.S. market could be just as important to the local industry’s own global ambitions as it is for General Motors’ survival, industry experts say.
WNEM.com reports that for now Chinese homegrown automakers like Chery, Brilliance and Geely Automobile Holdings are expanding mainly into developing regions — Southeast Asia, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
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