BAIC Group's own brand sales weak

Local Chinese automaker BAIC Group published its 2012 sales figures on Jan 16, chinanews.com reported Friday.

The data show that the automaker's accumulative sales in 2012 amounted to 1.7 million units, ranking fourth in the industry, just behind SAIC Motor, FAW Group, and Dongfeng Motor Corp.

However, sales of the automaker's own-brand vehicles are weak. Among the 1.7 million units sold, 1.6 million comes from Beijing Hyundai and Beijing Benz. The full-year sales of the automaker's own brand passenger vehicles totaled 66,000 units, accounting for 1/25 of total sales. Beijing E series, the only sedans on sale now, sold 20,008 units, just 1/85 of total sales.

BAIC Group plans to launch more than 20 models of passenger vehicles from 2010 to 2014. By 2015, the automaker hopes to produce and sell 400,000 units with the output capacity of 550,000 units. The automaker will invest 33 billion yuan in research, building a manufacture base and a powertrain plant.

BAIC Group's own-brand vehicles on the market are the E series sedans and the Weiwang minivan.