China's self-developed automobile manufacturers achieved stable and fast growth from January to October even though the global auto market saw sluggishness. Chinese brands are also optimistic about next year's performance.

As China's largest auto export manufacturer, Cherry's port is as busy as usual shipping its vehicles to buyers. But many of the sales which used to go to Russia and Ukraine are now going to Middle Eastern and African countries.

China's self-developed automobile manufacturers achieved stable and fast growth from January to October even though the global auto market saw sluggishness. [Xinhua photo]

Yin Tongyao, Cherry General Manager said "Ukraine used to buy up to five or six thousand vehicles in a month before. Now it only buys about a thousand. Russia used to purchase several thousand in a month. It is now still selling storage."

In the first ten months of this year, Cherry exported 125-thousand vehicles, up thirty percent compared to the same period last year.

Some other Chinese brands such as FAW and Dongfeng have seen good performances this year. In Jilin province, of the newly registered cars in September and October, one fourth were Chinese brands.

Ding Hongxiang, China Automobile Dealers Association said "Chinese manufactures are more familiar with the Chinese market, especially some small local markets. They have better opportunities in the China market."

Zhang Peijie, General Manager of FAW said "Despite uncertain factors for next year, we still have an optimistic forecast. We predict that next year our auto sales growth will be 15 percent, higher than the average of the industry."

Even though global manufacturing industries are facing sluggishness. China's automobile exports are maintaining growth. In the first three quarters, China exported 560-thousand vehicles, thirty percent higher than the same period last year.

(CCTV December 10, 2008)