The Chinese car market, the world's second-largest, had its worst year in a decade in 2008, with annual passenger car sales rising only 7.3 per cent, according to preliminary figures released yesterday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
More dismal news from the Chinese car market is expected to spur Beijing to announce measures to lift demand, such as further tax cuts and support for energy-efficient vehicles.
Official media reported last week that Beijing was targeting 10 per cent growth in the Chinese car market in 2009 and would imminently announce measures to stimulate sales.
After several years of double digit growth, Chinese car sales slowed dramatically in the middle of 2008.
Sales fell for four months out of the past five, as consumer confidence suffered from the global economic crisis.
Analysts say 2009 could be even worse, although Chinese car sales – which are forecast to rise in low single digits – will still remain a relatively bright spot for the world car industry.
They also think the government will find it hard to meet its target of 10 per cent growth. Positive growth in 2009 will depend on government measures to support the market. State media has said Beijing is considering reducing or abolishing taxes on car purchases and providing incentives for green car development.
Overall vehicle sales, including cars, trucks and commercial vehicles, were forecast to rise by 5 per cent this year, CAAM said.
Total vehicle sales rose 6.7 per cent last year to 9.38m, the group said yesterday, compared with an increase of 22 per cent a year earlier.
CSM, the vehicle consultancy, expects 6 per cent growth this year in the China auto market, depending on the size and nature of the government stimulus package.
Beijing has been trying to talk the Chinese car market up since October, hoping that its Rmb4,000bn ($585bn) economic stimulus package would restore consumer confidence.
参考译文：
根据中国汽车工业协会(CAAM)昨日公布的初步数据，全球第二大的中国汽车市场2008年经历了十年来最糟糕的一年，全年轿车销量仅上升7.3%。
预计更多来自中国汽车市场的不利消息将促使中国政府出台新措施，以增加需求。新出台措施可能包括进一步减税以及鼓励使用节能车。
中国官方媒体上周报道，中国政府将2009年汽车市场的增长目标定为10%，并即将宣布一些措施来刺激销售。
在经历数年两位数的增长率后，中国汽车销售在2008年中期迅速下滑。
由于消费者信心受全球经济危机影响，过去5个月里，汽车销售有4个月都在下降。
分析师们表示，尽管相对全球汽车行业来讲，中国汽车销售额仍会是个亮点，但2009年对中国汽车业自身来说可能会更糟。市场预测2009年中国汽车销售额的增长率在10%以下。
他们同时认为，政府将发现很难实现10%的增长目标。2009年能否实现更大幅增长，将取决于政府支持市场的措施。中国国家电视台称，中国政府正考虑削减或取消车辆购置税，并提供发展环保汽车的激励措施。
中国汽车工业协会表示，今年总体汽车销售(包括轿车、卡车及商用车)预测增长率为5%。
该组织昨日称，去年总体汽车销售上升6.7%，至938万辆。前年的增长率则为22%。
汽车咨询公司CSM预计今年中国汽车市场增长率为6%，这取决于政府刺激方案的规模和性质。
自去年10月以来，中国政府一直试图通过宣传攻势刺激汽车市场，希望4万亿人民币(合5850亿美元)经济刺激方案能恢复消费者信心。
（转载）
