The Big Call

Auto sales start to zoom

  • Published 02 Apr 2009

China Confidential’s consumer survey and the work of our researchers in several cities show that auto sales are rebounding emphatically – and could carry China past the US to become the world’s biggest auto market this year.

As a study in contrasts, nothing could be starker than the state of the US auto industry set against that of its counterpart in China. A strong rebound in Chinese car sales after several gloomy months speaks volumes about the resolute measures Beijing has taken to boost its economy. It also demonstrates the resilient optimism of Chinese consumers, particularly among two distinct groups – young adults and people living in secondary and inland cities (see Consumer China). And, looking forward, the identifiable new vigour in the auto market – if it is sustained – may act as a driver for activity in several other parts of the economy too.

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