To say that sales of alt-energy vehicles in China have been dismal would be an understatement. Despite investing million into advanced alternative fuel powertrains, the Global Times reports that many Chinese automakers are facing the tough decision to either ditch their green car plans or continue on with sales that are far below expectations.
Due to poor sales volume, Changan Auto has pulled the plug on its hybrid Jiexun. According to the company, not a single Jiexun was sold during the last year. BYD faces similar struggles, reporting that it has sold only 54 E6 electric vehicles and just 290 F3DM plug-in hybrids between January and October of this year. Even Toyota admits that Prius sales volume, which has been at less than 4,000 for each of the past three years, is below the company’s expectations.
Many Chinese automakers have voiced concerns and are calling upon the government to help boost sales of advanced-technology vehicles. So far, however, buyers have shown little interest in purchasing the high-tech rides that often come with steep price tags.
Source: Global Times]
Dismal hybrid, electric vehicle sales in China concern automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Continue reading “Dismal hybrid, electric vehicle sales in China concern automakers”
From the sound of things, Jaguar’s hunger for a slice of the Chinese auto market may be causing growing pains. According to The Daily Telegraph, Des Thurlby, the human resources director for the car maker, has been doing his best to encourage executives to pull up roots and do a tour of duty in either China, the United States or Russia. The British news agency calls some of Thurlby’s conversations “pointed,” with the director indicating that those workers who choose to skip a stint in international waters are less likely to see promotion within the company. 
It looks like the Chinese car market is going to get a little more crowded. According to a report from Just-Auto, Nissan and its partner company, Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, will be forming a new brand just for the people’s republic. Called Venucia, the company aims to have its first products on the road by 2012. With such a short development time, we expect its stable to be made up primarily of Dongfeng products with new fascias and Nissan powerplants, but you never know. Just-Auto says that Nissan and Dongfeng have devoted an entire team to the project, including research, design and manufacturing.
