Restructuring, innovation makes domestic brands more competitive (2)

Amid the global economic slowdown, some private manufacturing companies in China have been relying on upgrading and product innovation to be more competitive.

Geely, which acquired Volvo Cars in 2010, saw sharp export growth this year, despite the general slowdown of China's foreign trade, which is partly due to weakened demand from the crisis-plagued European and U.S. markets.

In the first 10 months, Geely exported more than 80,000 cars, up 190 percent year on year. High-quality brands like Emgrand accounted for 40 percent of the company's exports, according to the Hangzhou-based carmaker.

"By strengthening research and development and upgrading its products, the strategic transformation has built up the core competitiveness of Geely," said Yang Xueliang, director of public relations of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.

Yang added that the company will continue to promote its own advanced technologies to make cars more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. He forecast about 30 percent annual growth for the company's overseas exports in the next three to five years.

Chen Rufang, deputy director of the Zhejiang Provincial Commerce Department, said the government will encourage enterprises to exert more efforts in research, design and upgrading in line with global demand and enhance their competitiveness in technology, branding and quality.