China becomes a net vehicle exporter in 05-official
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-10 15:08

China became a net vehicle exporter for the first time last year, an official industry association said on Friday, helped by the sale of cheap models mostly to developing market.

A Shanghai salesman stands beside the Chinese made Chery QQ car in this May 9, 2005 file photo. China became a net vehicle exporter for the first time last year, an official industry association said on Friday, helped by the sale of cheap models mostly to developing market. [Reuters]

The country exported 172,800 units in 2005, up 120 percent from a year earlier, with imports up a much smaller 8 percent at 161,900 units, a senior executive with the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers told Reuters.

Chery Automobile, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and Great Wall Automobile Holdings Co. Ltd. are among a handful of upstart Chinese vehicle makers eager to push exports to diversify beyond their potentially oversupplied home market, industry executives said.