GM Sales In China Strong, Ford Much Stronger
GM’s sales in GM’s and the world’s largest auto market China were up 9.4 percent in May, the company says. In April, sales had been up 15.3 percent.
Buick sales were very strong, mostly on sales of the Excelle. The new XT and GT versions were up nearly 37 percent.
GM’s good showing in China indicates a healthy rise of auto sales in the Middle Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Ford reports a 45 percent gain in its May China sales.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
More by Bertel Schmitt
Comments
Join the conversation
Oh look, it's the Verano hatchback that should have been offered here.
I've asked this before but ever really got an answer. Are there many "Buick enthusiasts" in China? Like do they know about the 3800, the Grand National, the Roadmaster, and the Y-job? Would a Chinese Buick buyer of today appreciate a '59 Invtica or '73 Riviera? Or, do the Chinese not really know/care that much about the history of the brand?
How are Ford's sales "stronger" in China (much less "much stronger") - when GM has sold FOUR times as many vehicles YTD as Ford? Yes, Ford has seen a higher % increase but that's b/c they are starting at a much lower sales point for last year, and if %-gains was so impt. - then Cadillac should have been pointed put for having gains of over 70% compared to the same time last year. But then again, this is BS writing about GM.
Bertel, the article is incomplete without reporting Ford's unit sales. If they're starting from a much smaller base (as I believe they are) their increase in unit sales may be no greater, or even less, than GM's. A small player's unit sales will often fluctuate more than a larger player's in % terms, and still be much smaller in unit terms.