Report: China is the biggest auto market in the world

For the first time ever, China has overtaken the US in vehicle sales for the first half of 2009. Does it signal the end of US as the world’s biggest auto market? China had strong sales in June, an increase of 36.5%. China’s total vehicle sales for the first half of the year rose to 6.1 million, up 17.7% from a year earlier. In the US, vehicle sales in the same period dropped to 4.8 million units.

The only month where more vehicles were sold in the U.S. than in China was May. This rate also leaves the U.S. on track for an annual total of less than 10 million vehicles while China is looking at more than 12 million. That is not to say that China was immune from the global economic crisis. China’s vehicle sales weakened in late 2008.
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MSP6 - 7/10/2009 1:11:51 PM

+3 Boost

Not surprising, China is the biggest market for almost everything.

Bmw8ter - 7/10/2009 2:14:28 PM

+4 Boost

The biggest market for....your job.

bfghemicuda - 7/10/2009 5:41:55 PM

+1 Boost

They drive there cars wearing a respirator.

theman440 - 7/11/2009 12:37:58 AM

+1 Boost

China is the biggest everything, who gives a turkey.

MiniMaks - 7/11/2009 3:28:45 AM

+4 Boost

China taking over as the largest market has implication for us all, as the largest market sets the trends for the rest of the world. All car manufacturers will first and foremost design for preferences of the largest market and then repackage the product for other markets. USA was setting this standard since the car was invented – the change may hurt. Judging by current Chinese preferences it’s either prestige (bling) that matters or frugality. Rear-wheel drive? Forget it. Big V8-who cares? Pick-up truck – wha’s that? With pollution and traffic congestion it’s all about GPS, Bluetooth, rear-leg room, and low gas consumption. Audi A8s come with 6cyl engines, A6s with 4cyl engines and A4s with eLongated version. It’s great if you like these trends – but our choices outside them will soon diminish.