Chinese govt car contracts go to home brands

According to China's new draft procurement regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all 412 types of cars listed will be supplied by domestic manufacturers, with none from foreign joint-venture brands, Beijing Business Today reported Tuesday.

The vehicle catalog for Chinese party and government procurement in 2012 listed major Chinese brands, including Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, Dongfeng Motor corporation, BYD Auto, Huachen Auto Group, Chery Automobile, Great Wall Motor, Geely Automobile and JAC Motors,

Auto experts believe the change implies a reversal of the years-long government preference for international brands, and will help local brands nudge into the high-end market.

Industry and government agencies are invited to comment before a March 9 deadline. A final version is expected by April.