Today we are talking about the top 5 biggest
Chinese car companies.
Globally, China is the largest automotive
market, both in terms of demand and supply.
In 2017, China produced almost 25 million
passenger cars and around four million commercial
vehicles.
China is expected to also drive demand in
the automotive market, with close to 35 million
expected vehicle sales in 2020.
That is a lot of vehicles, so let’s talk
about the biggest car companies in China.
Starting off our list is the FAW Group.
On July 13, 1956, under the guidance of the
China's Central Government and with assistance
from the former Soviet Union, construction
of China's first automotive production base
was completed.
Known at that time as First Automotive Works
(FAW) and now as First Automotive Group Corporation,
this sprawling car and truck manufacturer
headquartered in Changchun, China, firmly
launched the country into the automotive age.
After fifty years of development and refinement,
tremendous changes have taken place within
FAW.
In stark contrast to the early days of producing
a single model of medium truck, FAW now produces
hundreds of models of light, medium, and heavy
trucks for every vocation.
In the late 1950's, FAW quickly responded
to market demand and commenced automotive
and bus production, soon making itself the
leading producer of buses and luxury tourist
coaches in China.
After surpassing the one-million-unit annual
sales figure in 2005, FAW Group Corporation
has set exciting new goals as the company
makes use of the latest information technologies
to keep their people and customers connected
worldwide, thus ensuring an important competitive
edge in the marketplace.
This company has been a major player for many
years!
Moving on to number 4 on our list.
Dongfeng Motor Corporation (its predecessor,
the Second Automotive Works) was established
in 1969 and it is one of the largest state-owned
enterprises in China.
Its headquarter is now located in Wuhan, with
its major production facilities distributed
in Shiyan, Xiangyang, Wuhan and Guangzhou.
Dongfeng Motor has a wide business scope;
they are engaged in the manufacturing, sales
and R&D of commercial vehicles, passenger
vehicles, auto parts and components, vehicle
manufacturing equipment and other auto related
businesses.
In 2011, Dongfeng’s own vehicle brand sales
passed the one-million-unit threshold representing
a growth rate 10 points higher than the industry
average.
In 2012, Dongfeng’s own vehicle brands achieved
an aggregate sale of 1,121,000 units ranking
among the top three that year.
Speeding on to number 3 on our list is the
Great Wall Motor Company Limited.
As China’s largest SUV and pickup manufacturer,
Great Wall Motors owns two brands--Haval and
Great Wall which cover three categories: SUV,
passenger cars, and pickups.
With over 30 holding subsidiaries, more than
60,000 employees, and four vehicle manufacturing
bases, Great Wall is one of the largest automotive
companies in China.
Great Wall started selling in Europe in 2006,
offering small vans and SUVs.
Great Wall products were first available in
the Australian market in 2009.
European sales continued with the 2011 opening
of a factory in Bulgaria that assembles three
different models from knock-down kits.
And in 2016, Great Wall set a historic sales
record of 1,074,471 cars worldwide, an increase
of 26% compared to 2015.
In 2018, it plans to sell even more vehicles
making it one of the top Chinese car companies.
Our next company is relatively new to the
market, but that hasn’t stopped them from
accelerating to number 2 on our list.
Geely Auto Group is a leading automobile manufacturer
based in Hangzhou, China and was founded in
1997 as a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding
Group.
The company employs more than 50,000 people,
operates 12 vehicle manufacturing plants,
9 powertrain plants, 6 knockdown kit plants,
and manufactures vehicles under the Geely
Auto brand.
Geely vehicles are sold through a network
of over 850 dealerships in China and some
350 sales and service outlets in overseas
markets.
The company, listed on the Hong Kong stock
exchange, saw its sales volume increase to
765,000 units in 2016.
In 2017, Geely Auto Group sold over 1,247,000
units, a major increase from 2016.
The success has prompted Geely to set its
2018 sales target to 1.58 million units.
Finally, on our list is a company that has
dominated the Chinese car industry for many
years.
SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor)
is the largest auto company on China's A-share
market.
SAIC Motor's business covers research, production
and sales of both passenger cars and commercial
vehicles.
The company is actively promoting new energy
vehicles, the commercialization of Internet-connected
cars, and it is exploring intelligent driving
technology.
SAIC Motor's car sales hit 6.93 million units
in 2017, up 6.8 percent on the previous year
and allowing it to keep its leading market
share in China.
In 2016, the company climbed 5 places to rank
41st on the annual Fortune Global 500 list,
thanks to its $113.86 billion in revenues.
It marked the 13th time that the company had
made it onto the list of Fortune magazine's
Global 500.
This company is sitting at the top and they
continue to produce quality vehicles for both
the domestic and overseas markets.
So, there you have it, the top Chinese car
companies.
What do you think of Chinese cars?
Would you buy from one of these Chinese brands?
Leave a comment below and be sure to subscribe
for more interesting China content in the
future.
