Chinese automakers to expand overseas presence

Chinese self-owned brand automakers said they would continue to expand their presence in overseas markets in 2013.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co said it would increase its car export volume by 50 percent to 150,000 units in 2013, according to the Securities Daily.

Geely sold 100,000 cars in overseas markets in 2012, with 80 percent of the orders coming from Russia, Ukraine, Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Zhang Lin, vice-president of Geely, said the total demand from markets outside North America and Europe can reach 20 million units, the same as the volume in the Chinese market. He noted that homegrown brands have to expand overseas because only global penetration will allow the companies to boost growth.

Meanwhile, the BAIC Group is also eyeing the tremendous business opportunities in the overseas market and targets to increase overseas car sales to 50,000 units in 2020 from 7,000 units in 2012. The company said it would pay more attention to several markets including Brazil, Russia and Colombia.

Exports of self-owned brand cars increased dramatically since 2010. Figures from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that car exports increase 29.7 percent year-on-year to 1.05 million units in 2012. Passenger cars exports increase 38.89 percent to 660,000 units in 2012. Chery, Geely, Great Wall Motors, SAIC Motor and Lifan were the top exporters in 2012.