Shanghai Auto delays export plans

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) will focus on the local market before exporting its Rover-based cars to Europe and the US. The <i>Financial Times</i> quoted Phil Murtaugh, who runs SAIC's international operations, as saying the company would only export the cars after they are successful in the local market. "We have to get it right at home before we go outside of China," Murtaugh told the newspaper. "I do not know when we will start exporting." The move provides further indication that expansion into the US and European markets by Chinese automakers will be much slower than originally anticipated. Both Chery and Geely have also slowed down expansion plans. SAIC bought the rights to two Rover models before the UK carmaker collapsed last year.