Nissan Going For 500,000 sales in China in ’08
China Car Times has a car from Dongfeng Nissan, and you could say we’re more than impressed by its quality, price, and more importantly the quality of service from Dongfeng Nissan dealers. Would we buy another Nissan? Of course we would – The Zhengzhou Nissan made Zhengzhou Aoting is catching our attention in a major way, as is the Chinese made Nissan X-Trail.
Nissan say they are going for 500,000 sales in China this year. A number which they might just meet, especially if we buy one, then they’ve only 499,999 more sales to worry about.
Japan’s Nissan Motor Co estimated its sales in China will rise 11 percent after introducing competitive new models to cover a broader range of the market.
Japan’s third largest car maker has set a sales target of 500,000 units in the world’s second largest car market this year including both passenger and light commercial vehicles, the company said in a statement yesterday.
As market competition heats up and this leads to lower prices, Nissan plans to launch three new models under the Nissan brand for the Chinese market this year to entice the more affluent Chinese car buyers.
In the luxury market, Infiniti enhances its appeal for Chinese customers by expanding its product line-up and sales network. The first new model of this year, M35, was launched in January.
The first new model will be the Qashqai sports utility vehicle made by Nissan’s local venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp, which rolled off the assembly line yesterday and will begin domestic sales in March.
“In addition to the car sector, we hope to strengthen our competitiveness on the cross-over, multi-purpose and SUV vehicle segments from this year to meet the rapidly growing market demand,” said Ren Yong, deputy manager of Dongfeng Nissan.
Ren’s remarks came after Dongfeng Nissan forecast slower sales growth this year as the car maker faces stronger competition from rivals such as Toyota and Honda with popular new models.
Toyota Motor Corp plans to increase its sales by 43 percent to more than 700,000 units this year while Honda aims to sell 490,000 or 17 percent more vehicles this year.
Dongfeng Nissan expects its sales will rise 26 percent to 345,000 units this year. This compares with a 34-percent jump for 2007 from the 2006 level, helping it take five percent of the market share and rank seven among the top 10 best-selling car makers.
Dongguan-based Dongfeng Nissan produces the Teana mid to upper class sedan, the Tiida sedan and the Bluebird Sylphy in China. It will have a total production capacity of 450,000 units when its new plant begins operating this year.
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Ash, I really think you ought to buy a Chinese brand, Chinese made car. It is not because we want to do away with you, or want the wife to fight with you. It’s for your street cred. And it’s because we want to hear about the trials and tribulations of ownership.
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I don’t know any foreigners driving a real Chinese car. Go for it! Which one you gonna get?
I saw one foreign fellow in the car park of Shangrila hotel driving a Chinese Maestro!
I asked him what I thought of it, but it appeared he was of Eastern Euro heritage and his grasp of English was not that great. He didnt realize it was a British car, but hats off to the man for driving one, good job the windows were limo black.
Hi Ashley,
I read China car times daily and I’m very surprised that nobody saw a foreigner driving a “made in China car”
I have Chinese driving licenses for years and i bought and drive a cute Dongfeng (East wind) Mian Bao (minivan) daily (U3 K07 type, 2007) for 8 people
Even has just 38.5 KW motor, it is very practical for short distance, economical and a lot of fun with it, friends and our own kid enjoy it, if not much “holes” on the road, due to lack of smooth suspension, make us “jump” a bit, but after all, with 38,000 RMB plus some audio and outside cosmetics, looks cute, like a small BMW MPV (dark Blue ours), due to grill shape
People in Heilongjiang look to me with a bit surprise, like, wow, a guy from another planet with a humble made in China small car in our roads, and even stop some time and look inside to see if I’m real, but is nice after all, we love it!it made daily his job in North east cold China , even in the coldest days
As you said, Chinese wife, don’t let much budget to buy a Nissan Qashqai or Kia sportage….
regards from a DongBei Laowei
Hello Mario!
Where are you in Dongbei?!
My wife actually prefers me to buy foreign cars…..
Hi Ash,
I am in Mudanjiang city, come from South America, and i was living in Qingdao for many years
If i was living in Qingdao or another big city, for sure i was buying a better car, but for this small city, it is enough, we have two kids,and enjoy our dongfeng a lot, till now, only very minor problems and good service after-sales.
I have changed all the inside for few money and put all the steel tubes in front, back and sides, like a “jeep”, dark glasses,electrical windows,good audio system, looks good, not complains so far, but of course, in a big city, it will not look such good bargain…
I am waiting to see the new Qashqai come to the local distributor to get a better check, and maybe around April buy another( If Wife agree) , either Nissan AoTing Diesel, or Kia Sportage,or Qashqai, but our Mianbao, will keep , because can take 7 passengers plus driver, comfortable for short trips ( i said comfortable because i am not in the rear seats jumping ,hahaha)
regards and keep going!
Hey Mario,
Ive been to Mudanjiang, its far from warm!
Thanks for commenting in, and send some pictures in of your Dongfeng in, ive been meaning to get a readers drives section going, but never did!