China is importing more US-built cars_Business_chinadaily.com
1. 1/17/2015 China is importing more USbuilt cars|Business|chinadaily.com.cn
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/201401/09/content_17224821.htm 1/3
Sat, Jan 17, 2015 Go Adv Search中文 CHINA EUROPE AFRICA ASIA ASIA NEWSPHOTO
ChinaUS / Business
China is importing more USbuilt cars
Updated: 20140109 04:19
By JACK FREIFELDER in New York (China Daily USA)
Print Mail Large Medium Small 0
China is importing more US cars, and it is due to additional production by US carmakers and
increased interest from Chinese consumers, according to an automotive analyst.
"The availability of information has changed the appetite of the consumer," said Matthew
Stover — a Bostonbased analyst with Guggenheim Partners LLC, a global financialservices
firm. "As the Chinese market matures and there's demand for different types of vehicles, then
Chinese consumers can look on the Internet to have an understanding of what's available in
Europe and North America."
According to the latest information from the US Department of Commerce, 1.9 million vehicles
were exported from the US in 2012. China was among the top five markets for light vehicles
made in the US, a list that also includes Canada, Mexico, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
The Detroit Three — Ford Motor Co (Ford), General Motors Co (GM) and Chrysler Group LLC
— accounted for more than half of those in 2012.
Due to Chinese government regulations, foreign manufacturers producing vehicles in China
must do so as a joint venture with a Chinese company. However, only a limited number of
partnerships are permitted.
GM has partnered with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) to become one of the
leading foreign car manufacturers in China.
Stover adds that partnerships and attempts to transfer technological advances could help bring
competitive products to China.
"The local market is only so capable of satisfying demand, so importing becomes the logical
option," Stover said.
Nearly half of USbased car exports go to neighboring countries in North America. As a result,
Canada and Mexico still pace the top five in terms of sheer volume, but China has shown
continued growth in recent years.
According to data from the US Department of Commerce, China's imports of US cars over the
last four years have jumped from 28,754 units in 2009 to 166,540 vehicles in 2012. China
occupied a relatively pedestrian 2.7 percent of the total US automotive export market in 2009,
but that figure has increased more than threefold since, to 8.6 percent of the total market in
2012.
According to a July 2013 report from the International Trade Administration, motor vehicle
exports to China were less than 1,000 units as recently as 2003.
Charlie Welsh, editorinchief of XportReporter, an online businessinformation journal that
covers the export market, said that the growth in the US auto industry is an offshoot of
advances in production technology.
"When you look at the US exports and the National Export Initiative (NEI) under President
Obama, this is an interesting development because it's not what I would have expected to see
in terms of exports really taking off," Welsh said Monday in an interview with China Daily. "You
can't ignore the developments on the production side that have enabled this to happen.
America is associated with advanced technology, and in my mind the US is the only place
when it comes to new technologies or additives for manufacturing."
During the 2010 State of the Union address, US President Barack Obama announced the
implementation of the NEI — including a goal to double US exports by the end of 2014.
In 2009, 1,065,518 vehicles were exported from the US — the year before the NEI was
launched. Exports grew to 1,927,352 units in 2012, an uptick of just over 80 percent in three
years' time. Thanks in part to increased trade with China; the US auto industry is well on its
way to meeting the NEI goal.
Most Viewed
'Sweet girls' of Neijiang
Abandoned boat become work of art
Poor health care in rural China lessens joy of
pregnancy
Braving bitter cold for nation’s security
HK donor gives $1 million to NYPD officers' families
Images: Top 10 weirdest buildings in China
Across Canada Jan 16
In pictures: Nairobi mall shooting spree
Top 10 countries for plastic surgery
Across Americas Over the Week (Jan 9Jan 15)
Editor's Picks
Look back at a
year of mixed
blessings
Police all atwitter
about Weibo
A different class of
teaching
HK media mogul
passes away
Drug base fell to
long arm of law
Growing food
in space
Today's Top News
Jackson's family bid for new trial denied
Newspapers must change or die
Abe’s brother to explain shrine visit to US
Protests cannot end Thai deadlock: observers
Mercy killing still a hot button issue
China builds army 'with peace in mind'
UN plea made on war victims
Li: China's tech innovation a priority
US Weekly
Geared to go The place to be
Home China US World Business Sports Travel Life Culture Entertainment Photo Opinion Video Forum
Video Slide Photos
2. 1/17/2015 China is importing more USbuilt cars|Business|chinadaily.com.cn
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/201401/09/content_17224821.htm 2/3
I want to comment 0 have participated
Username Create an account Please read our community rules
Password Login I forgot my password
0
way to meeting the NEI goal.
Ford's operations in the AsiaPacific region have been bolstered by the company's sizeable
investments in China. With four major facilities in China set to begin production in 2014 and
2015, Stover, the analyst who covers Ford for Guggenheim, points to 2015 as a year that Ford
could begin to see benefits from its new business in China.
"Right now you have the organic growth of the Chinese, Thai and Indonesian business offset
against the negatives of the Australian market," Stover said. "In 2015, the Chinese facilities
that they've launched will be more mature so they'll be more significant contributors to profit."
jackfreifelder@chinadailyusa.com
Related Stories
China vehicle sales race ahead
Quality watchdog says 5.3 million vehicles recalled
Beijing to control vehicle pollution
GM, Ford issue recall totaling about 1.5m vehicles
S Korea develops air defense vehicle
Officials barred from using vehicles during holidays
More China News
Man says loss of face pushed him to kill six
Liquor maker jettisons public autos at auction
Xuelong carries on mission after breaking from
floes
China builds army 'with peace in mind'
Personal essay on friend reveals Xi's heart
Beijing and Sofia vow new initiatives
More World News
The Earth on bicycle
Japan tries to justify Abe's shrine visit
S. Sudan peace talks continue on truce
Iran nuclear deal to take effect on Jan 20
Hollande weighs next move after claims of affair
Castro makes rare public appearance
Photo
Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA
best player award
Xuelong carries on mission
after breaking from floes
Beijing and Sofia vow new
initiatives
71st Golden Globe Awards
Bangkok unrest hurts major
projects and tourism industry
No pant for cold subway ride Tough army training turns
boys into men
Blaze prompts concern for
ancient buildings
Life After Loss: When
Families Lose Their Only
Child
Memorial Service For
Nelson Mandela Held In BJ
Special
International
attention on future reform
agenda for China
Investing a nation's
wealth wisely
Debate over artist's choice Beauty pageant
An open letter to Ministry of Education
Help me, I am ashamed
Endangered ecology on upper of Yangtze River
What's terrorism?
Once boyfriend upgraded to husband
Video Slide Photos
