While strengthening technology innovation and brand building
China will continue to expand auto exports, said Chinese Vice
Premier Zeng Peiyan on Sunday in Beijing.
Chinese auto companies should bring in advanced technology and
management expertise, enhance their research capabilities and build
up their own brands, said Zeng when visiting the 2006 Beijing
automotive exhibition.
China has grown into the world's third largest auto producer and
second largest auto market. Opening at the weekend the exhibition
has seen an unprecedented number of? "home-grown" brands with
approximately one third of the 572 vehicles on show being Chinese,
say the organizers.
Chinese brands currently account for about one quarter of the
country's auto sales. While consolidating their shares in low-end
products Chinese companies are moving into more lucrative markets
currently dominated by foreign carmakers.
Zeng said China should also develop more energy-saving,
environmentally-friendly cars and new kinds of vehicle fuels to
alleviate energy shortages.
The ongoing exhibition provided a platform to enhance exchanges
and cooperation in the world auto industry, he said.
According to the organizers the auto fair has attracted 1,500
companies from twenty countries and regions across the world. It's
expected to draw 500,000 visitors.
(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2006)
