The Telegraph reports that successful entrepreneurs eager for status-symbol cars are driving sales of luxury vehicles in China these days. Rolls-Royce, BMW, and other upmarket brands are enjoying the sales surge in China. BMW expects to sell 100,000 cars in China this year alone.
China's increasingly affluent population is opening wallets wide for cars, even as the much of the rest of the planet struggles to escape sluggish economic conditions. In fact, China has become the world's largest market for cars. No wonder Volkswagen and others are investing heavily to expand production in China.
Honda and Toyota are both looking at boosting production of smaller cars, to compete with the compact models made by local Chinese manufacturers. US automakers such as Ford are considering expansion of their joint ventures in China, to reach this very important market.
Meanwhile, the Chinese automaker SAIC, which owns the MG brand, is showing new concept cars at this week's Beijing Auto Show. Above are two views of the MG Zero, which may or may not be coming to dealerships in the future.
Where will global car marketing be headed in 2010?
