Cracking the Chinese Market: Who are the Players?

When Volkswagen proposed in the 1980s to build Audi cars in China for the use of state officials, the German automaker may not have fully appreciated the advantages of such a venture.

Nearly two decades later, Audi outsells its German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW by a wide margin in China. Its A6 sedan is the best-seller in its class, as China's rising entrepreneurs recall powerful Communist Party functionaries speeding past throngs of bicycles in black, chauffeur-driven Audis.

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BMW530i - 12/5/2006 12:49:41 PM

+1 Boost

Germans = prestige & pricey

Japanese = price advantage

Americans = price advantage

Koreans = price advantage

Chinese = dirt cheap copies

paul3230 - 12/5/2006 3:41:47 PM

+2 Boost

I agree with you..however I think Buick and Cadillac are pretty upper crust there

mkt1982 - 12/6/2006 4:23:22 AM

+2 Boost

Germans = prestige & pricey

Japanese = price advantage

Americans = price advantage

Koreans = "further" price advantage

Chinese = "more" "further" price advantage

AUTO_UNION - 12/5/2006 2:39:18 PM

+2 Boost

I agree with you.

XYZZ - 12/7/2006 6:41:56 AM

+1 Boost

then how come the japanese have the BIGGEST slice of the pie? bigger than even the chinese slice?

S4cabriofoxone - 12/5/2006 11:57:08 PM

+1 Boost

"Buick is Da Bomb, Audis are not"

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XYZZ - 12/8/2006 4:39:21 AM

+1 Boost

on top of that, the audis are being beaten by DAEWOOs just badged as buicks. LOLOLO..........!!!

XYZZ - 12/8/2006 4:44:33 AM

+1 Boost

now, i were an astute chinese new car buyer, should i choose,
1) a korean car rebadged as an american car, or
2) a german car rebadged as another german car (NEITHER of which is known for reliability)?

oh, a TOUGH choice. not!

XYZZ - 12/8/2006 4:59:20 AM

+1 Boost

IF i were...

chewy - 12/6/2006 1:08:34 AM

+1 Boost

Audi and VW are doing very well in China already and are positioned very well into the future.

XYZZ - 12/9/2006 4:20:19 AM

+1 Boost

if VAG has 1/3 the european share, a GENEROUS estimate, they have about 7.6% of the market.

LESS than the koreans do.

Homer008 - 12/6/2006 10:15:43 AM

+1 Boost

I had no idea! German car fans been bolstering about sales in China for years..wow, exaggeration!!!!!