World auto manufacturers attending the 7th Beijing auto show have exhibited their strong determination to divvy up the market.

All the auto companies were promoting their most appropriate products to attract both visitors to the show and potential partners.

"Ford picked suitable brands for China this year, and we aim toprovide advanced services to Chinese consumers," said Mei Wei Cheng, Ford Motor China chairman and CEO.

Volkswagen plans to sell 400,000 cars in China this year, up 21percent compared with the same period last year.

"China's entry into the WTO has stimulated the demand for private cars. China has now entered a new stage of increased car ownership. Our company will perfect a sales net and promote the latest products so we maintain the advantage in this competitive market," said Bernd Leissner, chairman of Volkswagen's Asia Pacific region.

Its localization strategy has earned Volkswagen 50 percent of market share in China.

"Our Chinese affairs office has just been established in Tokyo.The responsibility of the office is to promote Nissan's development in China," said a senior Nissan official.

Two new Nissan models featured at the auto show will be maunfactured by the Zhenzhou Nissan and Fengshen Auto Company.

General Motor (GM) China and its two joint ventures also took part in the exhibition.

"GM has now built a system in China from research and production to sales and services. Now we are planning to promote GM financial services for more consumers," said Philip Murtaugh, GM China chairman and CEO.

"BMW has displayed the most advanced technology this time. As we all know, limousine cars will take some share of the market," said Gunther Seemann, managing director of BMW Group China.

( June 13, 2002)