China’s automotive industry is a growing one with a long list of brands and models that amount to the dozens. In an attempt to understand the major players in one of the world’s largest markets, CarSalesBase has compiled a list of the largest (Chinese) automakers in the country according to their respective 2017 sales figures, which we then narrowed down a few notable companies.
Kicking things off is 68th placed Great Wall Motors (GWM), which is better known to us in Malaysia through its Haval sub-brand. The 1984-founded company that was first known for its commercial vehicles recently unveiled the Wey P8, a plug-in hybrid SUV that is meant to reinforce its luxury SUV line-up. In 2017, the company’s sales stood at 11,652 units, but this figure only accounts for GWM-branded vehicles (the Haval brand is counted separately).
Next up is another brand that has some presence in our country, Borgward (56th place), which isn’t exactly a Chinese brand. The historic German brand was revived after a five-decade hiatus when Beiqi Foton Motor, a subsidiary of BAIC, entered into a deal with the grandson of Borgward’s founder Carl Borgward in 2015. Last year, with models such as the BX7 SUV, the company attained a 0.18% market share, or 44,380 units.
Founded in 1992, the Brilliance Auto Group (43rd place) has models marketed under three brands, including Brilliance, Huasong and Jinbei. The company also has a joint venture with BMW, where it makes a number of models like the 1 Series Sedan. Sales for the brand amounted to 101,317 units last year.
Another notable company is 31st placed First Automobile Works (FAW), which has nearly eight brands parked under it. As China’s oldest passenger car manufacturer, the 1953-founded FAW also has a number of joint ventures with Volkswagen, Toyota, Audi and General Motors. The brand sold 191,179 units last year.
Zotye Auto (26th place) should be somewhat familiar to our readers, as the 1968-founded company has been regularly accused of plagiarism, as is the case with the SR8, or Porsche Macan clone. Despite this, it managed to sell 311,266 cars last year.
A relatively new brand, 2003-founded BYD Auto (Build Your Dreams) started out as a battery maker before purchasing Tsinchuan Automobile Company in 2002. Aside from making electrified vehicles, the company (20th place) also has a joint venture with Daimler, resulting in the new Denza 500. The brand sold 403,496 units last year.
Another brand familiar to us in Malaysia is seventh placed Chery, which is another big entity in China. With 455,718 units sold in 2017, the company offers a good mix of SUVs, sedans and superminis in China, some of which are under its Jetour sub-brand. There’s also the new Exeed sub-brand for European markets, with the TX being of the first models to be revealed.
Seventeenth-placed Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) sold 508,029 units last year, with a mix of passenger and commercial vehicles under the under the GAC, Trumpchi, Gonnow and Changfeng brands. It currently has joint ventures with Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota.
Coming in with 553,242 units last year is fifth placed Shanghai Motor Corporation (SAIC), a Fortune Global 100 company and one of the “Big Four” state-owned Chinese automakers (along with Chang’an Motors, FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor). The Maxus brand in Malaysia is managed by Weststar Group, which SAIC Motor has a partnership with.
Just ahead of SAIC is 14th placed BAIC Group (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding) with 566,856 units. Another state-owned enterprise, BAIC’s current subsidiaries include BAIC Motor, BAW, BJEV and Foton Motor.
Dongfeng Motor (12th place) sold 639,248 cars last year, and develops its own products under the Fengdu, Fengshen and Fengxing brands. It was a large number of joint ventures as well, with the most notable involving Honda, Nissan and Renault.
As mentioned earlier, Haval’s sales figures are counted separately from GWM, and in 2017, the brand sold 849,554 vehicles to take the ninth spot on the list. This places them ahead of companies like Hyundai (796,586 units) and Ford (839,815 units).
A producer of passenger and commercial vehicles, seventh placed Changan Auto sold 1,055,096 vehicles last year marketed either as a Chang’an or Chana. Also one of the original “Big Four” automakers in China, the company also has joint venture operations with DS Automobiles, Ford, Mazda, Peugeot-Citroen and Suzuki.
Leading the Chinese automakers is 1986-founded Geely (third place), which should be well known among Malaysians here following the company’s stake acquisition in Proton. Originally a refrigerator manufacturer founded by Li Shufu, Geely later become a motorcycle producer and started small van production in 1998. Later in 2001, Geely received state approval to make automobiles and began exporting its cars to overseas markets in 2003.
The company’s name translates to auspicious or lucky, and it proved true last year when it raked in 1,251,656-unit sales (Geely’s figures say 1,247,116 units sold), ahead of companies like Toyota (1,137,920 units) and Nissan (1,118,085 units, but behind Volkswagen (3,139,120 units) and Honda (1,417,802 units.) Despite the large number, Geely’s sales only accounted for about 5.85% of the China’s total industry volume (TIV) – a reminder of just how large the market is. The company currently has stakes in the London Taxi Company, Lotus, Terrafugia and more recently in Daimler.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments largely discuss the Chinese automotive brands, especially Geely, Haval, and Proton, with mixed sentiments. Many acknowledge Geely’s impressive sales figures and global presence, highlighting its success in China and Malaysia. Some debate the true market penetration of Chinese brands abroad, particularly in developed countries, with critics pointing out failed attempts and low resale values. Others compare Geely’s growth to Proton’s history, noting Geely’s relative newness yet rapid success, while some express skepticism about Chinese brands’ quality and reputation. Several comments emphasize that Proton should learn from Geely, and others believe Geely's strategic moves, including owning Proton, position it as a rising automotive power. Overall, there’s cautious optimism mixed with skepticism about Chinese brands' global acceptance and quality perceptions.