Sales of new-energy cars surge in China

Want China Times, Staff Reporter, 2015-02-01

Workers conduct final checks on new energy cars at a production line
at a factory in Hefei, Anhui, July 15, 2014. (File photo/Xinhua)

In the wake of the continuous expansion of the new-energy car market in China, local carmakers have rolled out models targeting niche customer groups in the market, such as the recent debut of 5 series plug-in hybrid cars by joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive for the luxury-car sector and a new-energy SUV by BYD Tang, according to Guangzhou-based Nanfang Daily.

Sales of new-energy cars in the nation tripled year-on-year to 27,200 cars in December last year, including 12,000 pure electric passenger cars and 3,074 plug-in hybrid passenger cars, with the combined amount skyrocketing to 14 times the year before, 8,301 pure electric commercial cars, nine times the amount the previous year and 3,803 plug-in hybrid commercial cars, two times the number last year.

Output of new-energy cars for 2014 rose to 83,900 cars, four times the number last year, including 37,800 pure electric passenger cars, three times the amount last year, 16,700 plug-in hybrid passenger cars, 22 times the amount last year, 15,700 pure electric commercial cars, four times the amount last year, and 13,800 plug-in hybrid commercial cars, two times the amount last year.

Along with the expansion of the new-energy car market, models available on the market have become increasingly diversified, covering the high, medium and low-end sectors. In addition to the two aforementioned models, Audi is also slated to launch its first electric car A3 e-tron soon.

"Along with technological progress, carmakers should develop models targeting niche sectors of the market," remarks Chen Qingtai, an industry insider.