China Overtakes US As Top Global Automotive Market

China has overtaken the U.S. as the world's biggest market for automobiles, the first time any other country has bought more vehicles than the nation that produced Henry Ford, the Cadillac and the minivan.

Now that the Chinese buy more cars and trucks than Americans, the shift could produce ripples for the environment, gas prices and even the kinds of cars automakers design.

More than 12.7 million cars and trucks will be sold in China this year, up 44 percent from the previous year and surpassing the 10.3 million forecast in the U.S., according to J.D. Power and Associates.

China has long been expected to overtake the U.S. since its population of 1.3 billion is more than quadruple that of the United States. But the increase in sales happened much faster than anyone expected because of China's tax cuts, its stimulus program and a depressed American market.

Two years ago, J.D. Power predicted China would pass the U.S. in 2025. Earlier this year, it forecast 2009 sales of just 9 million vehicles for China.

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M35MT - 12/14/2009 12:11:34 PM

0 Boost

Actually, Blindfool, Obama's "ways" encourage those who are ALREADY hard working citizens to give up their money, freedom and pride and "spread it around", thus making us weaker, discouraging entrepreneurialism and crushing the spirit and motivation of our country by betraying the principles it was built on.

WAKE UP.

M35MT - 12/14/2009 12:07:54 PM

+4 Boost

What's the company's name for the logo in the middle on the last row, "Swiss Cheng"?

ha ha ha...

pennfootball - 12/14/2009 2:48:50 PM

+2 Boost

Come on they are buying 8,000 Wang mobiles that can't pass US or European crash tests. You can't compare them because their cars are cheaper then most motorcycles in the US!!

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 4:53:47 AM

+1 Boost

sure the prices are lower, but SO ARE WAGES in china.

these factors balance each other off. the fact remains, they have an EXPLODING middle class of car buyers.

lexusrox123 - 12/14/2009 3:36:46 PM

+2 Boost

Bottom right is a blatant copy of Citroen's badge. Shameless.

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 5:22:10 AM

+1 Boost

last one in 3rd sure seems (over?) confident: a winged Number "1"

LexSucks - 12/15/2009 10:35:11 AM

-1 Boost

It's all Obama's fault!!

delan - 12/15/2009 10:49:08 PM

+1 Boost

....China, the new wearer of the big drawls in the world arena.

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 5:45:07 AM

+1 Boost

i've been reading several interesting books recently, all affirming that until they were knocked down by western imperialists following the Opium Wars, and various internal turmoils, China INDEED was the center of civilization.

for anyone interested, check out these titles: Gavin Menzies' "1424," and "1434" and "Foreign Devils on the Silk Road" (author not recalled off hand).

the last recounts the cultural and artistic treasures that were essentially LOOTED from china from ~1875 - 1930. there were treasure troves of buddhist art and manuscripts. also, within tombs, precious metal and other valuable relics.

menzies' books recount the early 15th century explorations of chinese "treasure ships" and their support vehicles. maps the chinese navigators and admirals compiled, eventually came into the hands of the venetians, florentines, portugese, and other europeans.

both columbus and magellan relied on maps derived from these chinese originals. they WERE NOT sailing blind. the chinese preceded europeans not only to both americas, but in circumnavigating the globe.

after 200 years of exploitation/suppression by western powers, china is only now reclaiming the EMINENCE they previously enjoyed.

XYZZ - 12/17/2009 5:12:46 AM

+1 Boost

even the very development of western practical science, was greatly boosted by chinese developments. canals and locks. irrigation systems and pumps. and more.
in his 1434 book, menzies even attributes the Renaissance to chinese influence and distribution of printed handbooks. a fascinating read for anyone interested.

OR, if you are just a typical Spies redneck, you can continue JUST bashing chinese cars and technology.