Homegrown automakers eye bigger market share

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported that sales of own-brand passenger vehicles from January to July reached 3.56 million, accounting for 46.4% of total sales, meaning their market share was 1% lower than in the first half.
But Xu Changming, director of resource development at the State Information Center, remains optimistic and has identified four opportunities.
Firstly, room for growth is still large in the domestic market.
Secondly, the potential in the international market is great.
Thirdly, enterprises with self-owned brands have demonstrated an obvious increase in strength.
And fourthly, the Automobile Industry Restructuring and Revitalization Plan issued last year demonstrates the government’s commitment to promote the development of self-owned brands.
Citing figures released by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, China Economic Net reported that in the first half, self-owned brands took up 80% of the market for cars priced below RMB80,000 (US$11,987).