Domestic automakers dominate low end of market.(2007 Guide to China's Auto Market)

Byline: Alysha Webb

Domestic automakers held their market share in 2006 against aggressive and well-funded overseas companies.

At the end of 2006, domestic brands owned 26.4 percent of the 4.7-million unit passenger-vehicle market, up from 26.2 percent at the end of 2005.

They dominated the low-priced end of the market. Most vehicles costing less than $10,000 were assembled by domestic companies.

Expect that dominance to continue in 2007. Overseas brands are chipping away at local brands' market share in the wealthier and more demanding markets along China's east coast. ...