Cars' debut shows optimism in market

THE 6th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition opens to the public today amid a tough time for China's auto industry but the debut of several strategic models showed car makers are still confident that the domestic market will continue to drive ahead.

Ford Motor Corp yesterday debuted its new Fiesta sedan, which is specially designed for a new generation of young Asian and especially Chinese drivers.

'Despite the slowdown and the global financial crunch, China's auto market continues to grow,' said Wesley Liu, deputy general manager of Chang'an Ford Mazda Sales Co.

'We are confident that the 4-trillion-yuan (US$588 billion) stimulus plan announced by the government, including tax cuts, will have a positive impact on boosting domestic consumption and China is still on track to be the world's biggest auto market,' Liu added.

Shanghai General Motors Co unveiled its Cadillac CTS-V luxury sedan, Enclave sport-utility vehicle as well as its Cruze mid-class sedan at the show. The Cruze, which will also be locally produced in China in the first half of next year, is among models that were developed from GM's global product platform.

Sun Xiaodong, deputy general manager of Shanghai GM, said the launch of the three models signaled GM's optimism in the auto market.

'Resources to be poured into the Chinese market will not be reduced even as GM is facing challenges in the global market,' he said, adding another 10 to 20 models are planned for the domestic market in the next two years.

Among the new products launched yesterday, small cars boasting better fuel economy still shine as consumers are more savvy amid a drop in income and rising fuel prices.

Skoda, the Czech brand affiliated to Volkswagen AG, yesterday showed its Fabia in China. The car, featuring a 1.4 or 1.6-liter engine, will be produced by Shanghai Volkswagen Co. It will hit the market by the end of this year.