11% Rise in Chinese Car Sales Triggers Government Bailout

According to the officious, English-language China Daily, “Chinese automakers are facing their toughest challenge in three years as demand is falling and profitability is plunging amid rising costs.” And that’s because “China’s car sales rose 11 percent in the first nine months, compared with a 22 percent increase for the whole of last year.” So, even before the U.S. of A. can open the federal bra on behalf of Detroit’s automakers, the Chinese government has swung into action. “China’s government is discussing policies to help automakers boost sales and fend off the global financial crisis.” Policies being considered in Beijing include… “Consumption-tax breaks” – The PRC plans to give the little guy a break and money in his hand, instead of giving billions to three (or maybe just two) big guys. “Subsidies to automakers that develop vehicles powered by alternative energies” – that has a familiar ring to it. Because alternative energies are still mostly a gleam in the eye of a few believers, the real plan consists a hefty tax break with a green top coat finish. Chinese consumption tax (nothing to do with TB) can be as low as one percent for a (non-)car with a displacement of less than a liter, and as high as 40 percent for a bigger-bore vehicle of more than four liters. China Daily’s source is Chen Jianguo, himself “deputy head of the industrial coordination department of the National Development and Reform Commission.” If China Daily quotes a guy with a title that long, you can consider the plan as good as done.