China's auto exports grew nearly 60% in Jan-Feb

In the first two months of 2010 China's auto exports totaled 66,100 units, 58 percent higher compared with the same period last year, according to statistics released by China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

The statistics also showed that total auto export value grew more than 23 percent to $871 million in the first two months.

With clear signs of recovery showing in China's auto export sector, some automakers in China have ambitious plans.

Yin Tongyue, chairman of Chery Automobile, said that the company has set up nine CKD plants in foreign countries, and is planning for another six overseas plants.

China's leading battery and electric automaker BYD Co. also has a high export target. Its sales general manager Wang Jianjun disclosed that it aims to export 16,000 oil-fueled and new energy cars.

However, some experts are taking a more cautious view of China's auto exports. Cui Dongshu, Vice Secretary-General of National Passenger Car Information Exchange Association, predicted that auto exports won't see a significant growth in 2010, despite a steady trend toward recovery.

"Impacted by the global financial crisis, sales in the traditional overseas markets of Chinese cars including the East Europe, Africa, West Asia and Southeast Asia cannot grow rapidly," Cui said. "The construction of Chinese automakers' overseas sales networks will also take time."

By People's Daily Online