Chinese and their Cars
CIC Data is a company that scours the internet for its various clients, gathering information about what Chinese consumers are saying about certain products. CIC Data include various members of the motoring industry as their clients, and thus CIC Data are always researching information about the Chinese car industry, and what the Chinese people think of various cars.
CIC Data have just released an interesting white paper that gives lots of details into Chinese and their cars. CIC Data have certainly succeeded in creating an excellent paper, and putting into words (and graphs) what China Car Times has been seeing for years, but never got around to writing about. China Car Times strongly suggests you download the white paper and give it a good read. The report is in a PDF file format.
Please let us know what you think of the report in the comment box.
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Very good article. One thing I noticed though…. There was absolutely no mention of the Santana anywhere in that article…. I could have missed it or the sales of all those Santanas could have been to taxi fleets…..
The Mazda 6 ^^#**#( and Humvee made an appearance too.. http://www.seeisee.com/index.php/sam/2007/10/08/p355
Excellent compilation of some very interesting facts. It’s obvious that the chinese consumer is becoming quite educated when it comes to buying cars……with one notable exception. Many shoppers/buyers still don’t have much knowledge when it comes to self-maintinence – how many of these could actually tell you WHY companies put 16 valves in a motor – or what a intake/exhaust valve even does? Sure, it looks impressive to see “1.4L, DOHC, MPI, 16V, VVT, ABS/EBD” – but do they REALLY know what it all means? Do they know what valve knocking/pinging sounds like? How about the distinctive sound of a CV joint wearing out? This is the NEXT step in the growth of the chinese auto industry – the desire AND the knowledge to do self-maintinence. You can learn A LOT about your car by doing something as simple as changing your own oil – or even just opening your engine hood and looking in there and figuring out what it all does!! It will ALSO be a growth industry for aftermarket shops – providing maintinence or even the necessary supplies to do your own work at home. Maybe a company like Kragen’s or Grand Auto ought to consider expanding into China – it COULD be a successful venture.
Appreciate the interest in our white paper.
Woxihuanpijiu, regarding your question about there being no mention of Santana….Our analysis was based on what Chinese consumers were talking about within 15 million BBS (aka message board) messages for Q2. Though Santana sells well, it is not particularly “buzz worthy” nor are the people who buy it necessarily the ones online talking.
Joininchina, there is a lot of talk about customization, but not so much about self service. But I think you are right, this is a ripe market, and these are the consumers who will be the ones to target. The ones on the message boards are the most informed and most curious (and sometimes the most cost conscious).
Sam, apologies for not getting this up on CCT earlier!
Just to note, the US chain repair shop, Greasemonkey, is currently making an entrance into the PRC
Thanks for the info, Ashley – I didn’t know that!! They do good work, BUT they’re primarily a oil change facility with SOME minor repair work. I want to see a shop where I can go in, get a oil fliter wrench, some good 10/40 oil, maybe a couple of mini-ramps for the front wheels……or with some of the older or more simple cars (i.e. no fuel injection) a tune up kit with plugs/points, maybe a timing gun and even new spark plug wires!! This will happen in time as MORE chinese drivers discover the joys of “doing it yourself” – I suppose this “aftermarket” industry will grow along with the used car market. Used cars=more repairs….which means more repairs=shops needed to provide the supplies to do those repairs!!
3M are doing exactly what you mentioned.
I didnt realize 3M were in the aftercar care market, I thought they were just post it note makers.
Thanks for sharing this study with us. It gives good insights into the evolving Chinese carlover. In line with comments, I too would like to see promotion of “shade tree mechanic” activity. And moreover I would like to see the auto exhibition halls devote some displays to the teaching of technical (and related science)subjects aimed at China’s school-aged youth. The auto manufacturers should recognize the opportunities in this.
wow, dragin – GREAT idea with the exhibition hall idea. How about we take that a step further…..if we’re going to teach the school-aged youth about cars, why don’t we get them turned on EARLY to the advantages of “green” cars and technology (i.e. hybrid/electric/alternative fuel cars)? China COULD create a new generation of car buyers that WANT to buy hybrid/electric cars – if the companies are astute enough to recognize the HUGE opportunity they have in their hands right now. Spend a little money, educate the kids while they’re still young and you’ll have a whole NEW generation of buyers willing to say “NO MORE GASOLINE”!!
Ha ha ha…..owners fixing their own cars. They can’t drive them properly yet, 0-5th gear in 15 yards and now you want them fixing their own cars. Identify knocking and pinging but they have no idea what damage they are doing lugging the motor.
I fix my own Chang because I’ve seen a mechanic attack it, all eyeballs and hammers.
Can you imagine the added pollution when the oil is just drained in the road or tipped into the local river. The increase in accidents resulting from ‘shade tree’ mechanics. It’s going to take a world of education, plus if you’re Chinese and can afford a car manual labor is to be shunned. All the Chinese think I’m nuts cause I work on my own bike.
In Shanghai there is a NAPA store (real deal not a copy), first it was set up like a US store……..they’ve changed the product offerings a least 5 times trying to figure out the market, now they are reduced to selling car seats, wax, airfreshners, tyres, wheels furry steering wheeel covers like all the other “customizers” while the rest of the inventory gathers dust. When it has a couple of CM’s worth of the stuff they discount it. You can go in there and ask for a part and they have no clue what you are talking about, they wouldn’t know an alternator from an elbow.
I heard a little story at a BBQ this weekend, bus company had decided to repair it’s own broken windows so it replaced them and re siliconed them in place…….proud of the work the driver slammed the door shut and all the windows promptly fell out……he’d used bathroom caulking silicone cause the automotive window stuff was so expensive.
Cynical…..perhaps, but be careful what you wish for fellas.
Nick in Shanghai.
You ride one of those three wheeled Changjiangs :O
Yep……..and a Santana. Guess I’m a retro-Luddite.
I told you ages ago – we need a readers rides post