Geely takes over as top-selling Chinese standalone brand
- January 2013 Chinese car sales grow by 50%
- Sales reach new high for Chinese auto industry
- Geely sales alone more than SA new car market
NAAMSA figures for new car sales in South Africa dwindle in comparison to that of the world’s youngest yet biggest car market in China – 1,72 million passenger cars in a single month, and over 50% growth over that of January last year.
The biggest news is the fact that Geely, China’s biggest private automaker, came out tops as the number one selling standalone brand.
Selling in excess of 55 000 vehicles – a good chunk more than the TOTAL South African passenger vehicle market of 39 738 new cars in January – the cherry on the cake was the fact that Geely outsold its major Chinese rival by more than 20% (55 100 units compared to 46 100).
“Geely is fast becoming a much more respected brand thanks to its new focus on quality and safety, no doubt something that has been accelerated due to technology transfers after the private company’s acquisition of Swedish automaker Volvo in 2010,” says Henri Meistre, Managing Director of Geely SA.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) announced this week that January vehicle sales grew to 2,3 million vehicles – an increase of 46,38% over January 2012 and up 12,41% over that of December. Passenger vehicle sales reached 1,72 million vehicles – an increase of 48,68% over January 2012. These numbers include those of joint ventures with major European manufacturers.
* Geely’s success can be attributed to a host of new models, including the new EC7, which is expected to arrive in South Africa in the second quarter of 2013. The current Geely MK range will be replaced by a new hatchback, scheduled for arrival before the end of the year.
Geely was re-launched in South Africa in 2011 as one of the brands under the Dacar Motor Group. Internationally Geely plans to aggressively expand in each market with increased investment, new models and strengthened training policies for all its staff, to ensure customer satisfaction in all markets. “These plans include South Africa, where we have already expanded our dealer network to 40 dealers across the country, including Namibia and Botswana opening soon,” says Meistre. “The new quality direction of Geely is being noticed, and we are very optimistic for the local launch of the EC7 in May this year.”
The best Chinese selling brands in January were:
- Shanghai-GM – 142 000 (excluding Wuling)
- Shanghai-VW – 134 300
- FAW-VW – 132 200
- Beijing – Hyundai – 83 700
- Dongfeng – Nissan – 66 200
- Geely – 55 100
- Citroën – 49 200
- Chery – 46 100
- BYD – 45 400
- Changan Ford – 43 700
