GM, Ford show growth in China

Despite rising fuel prices auto giants post 12.7%, 21% rise

The US' largest automaker GM, said it sold 590,126 vehicles in the first six months, posting a 12.7 per cent rise over the same period a year earlier.       
Ford said its sales rose 21 per cent from the year earlier period to 172,411 units. This included passenger cars produced by Changan Ford Mazda

Automobile Co. Ltd., a joint venture of Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd, a Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Company, which rose 25 per cent to 116,903 units.       

Ford's China sales grew a robust 30 per cent last year but the 21 per cent rise is still much stronger than in North America where there is a downturn for automakers.       

Kevin E Wale, President of GM China, said the company's multi-brand strategy was taking effect with new models of brands such as Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and Wuling receiving good "feedback" from Chinese consumers, official Xinhua news agency said.       

Major US, European and Asian automakers have been investing heavily and competing aggressively in China, where sales are expanding at double-digit rates.      

The soaring international oil prices have not had much impact on auto sales in China where the fuel prices are government regulated and kept at lower levels.         

Japan's Honda Motor (China) Investment Co. Ltd. Said its sales in China rose 21.3 percent year-on-year to 186,991 vehicles during the first half of 2008.