China Biggest Car Market in the World, Sales up 46%

For the first time in history, more cars were sold in China in 2009 than in the United States. 13.64 million vehicles were sold in China, compared to 10.43 million in the United States. The Chinese number is up over 46% from the previous year, while the U.S. number represents a decline of more than 2.8 million vehicles.

This is very big news. For decades, car makers have focused their energies on the American market because of its size. The American market got the best technologies, influenced vehicle design, and was so big that even smaller manufacturers like Suzuki and Saab could enter and be profitable. Now, China is bigger. That means Americans can expect to see more automakers tailor their products for the Chinese consumer. We'll see that this year with the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, very much a product of GM Shanghai.

China leads the vehicle world on dual fronts -- Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 -- English Window to China New