| German automaker Volkswagen is the largest foreign | | | | China have risen by 25 percent compared to last year |
| car manufacturer in China today and it is looking to | | | | for the same period of time. The German automaker |
| further increase its presence in the large and still | | | | increased their sales with help from the new auto |
| growing Chinese auto market. The biggest European | | | | models they have introduced in the market which are |
| carmaker announced that they are expecting their | | | | the Skoda Octavia and the Audi A4. Aside from |
| auto sales in China to increase by 12 percent this year | | | | these, other Volkswagen timing belt-equipped auto |
| compared to 2006. The carmaker is counting on the | | | | models are also increasing in popularity among Chinese |
| Magotan sedan which is also known as the | | | | auto buyers. |
| Volkswagen Passat, Dasher, Quantum, Santana, | | | | “Volkswagen is trying to boost sales in China's |
| Corsar, Ford Versailles, Galaxy and the Royale. | | | | market, with more models tailor-made for Chinese |
| In a motor show held at the North-eastern city of | | | | customers,” said Huang Zherui, an analyst for CSM |
| Changchun, Volkswagen China Group’s vice | | | | Asia. "The China market still has much more |
| president Soh Weiming said that they are expecting to | | | | potential.” |
| sell about 800,000 Volkswagen vehicles in the country | | | | From January to June this year, Volkswagen has |
| this year. Last year, Volkswagen sold 711,298 vehicles | | | | already sold 431,369 vehicles in China, a record |
| in the country. | | | | breaking feat for the Chinese arm of the German |
| As the auto market in China continues to grow, | | | | automobile manufacturer. The Chinese auto market |
| Volkswagen has reacted by offering more auto | | | | has increased by 22 percent for the said period. Of |
| models in the country. Capitalizing on the marketing | | | | the entire Chinese auto market, Volkswagen has |
| appeal of the brand and the increasing number of | | | | cornered 18.6 percent for the first half of the year. |
| Chinese auto buyers, the German automaker has | | | | According to Mr. Soh, the Chinese arm of Volkswagen |
| provided Chinese auto buyers with more choices. | | | | is aiming to stabilize their share of the Chinese auto |
| Aside from Volkswagen, Toyota is another automaker | | | | market at 17 to 18 percent. |
| to offer more auto models in the country. | | | | “The market is still growing at a very aggressive |
| This move by carmakers into the Chinese auto market | | | | pace,” Mr. Soh said. “Ten years ago only a |
| is expected since almost all large auto markets has | | | | fortune teller could tell you how good the car market |
| showed signs of slowing down. In the United States, | | | | would be in the following year, but now the market is |
| auto sales are declining although there are signs of | | | | pretty stable.” |
| increase for some months. The Chinese auto market | | | | For the future, Volkswagen announced that they will |
| though is growing and it is of utmost importance to | | | | be introducing 14 new auto models in the country by |
| move into the market while it is still developing into a | | | | 2009. This will further increase the choice for Chinese |
| very profitable market. | | | | auto buyers. This in turn, hopefully for Volkswagen, |
| During the first half of this year, Volkswagen sales in | | | | would mean increased sales in the country. |