TRUCK and commercial vehicle producers are upbeat about the Chinese market and hankering for a bigger market share after they posted sluggish sales last year.
Robert Veit, president and chief executive officer of Daimler Trucks and Buses (China), said during the ongoing Auto Shanghai exhibition that his company will increase the number of dealerships from 41 to over 50 by the end of this year as it seeks to reduce direct sales channels and partner with local dealers.
The company, set up early this month, will act as a marketing center to show the group's commitment to one of its most important markets.
Sales of medium and heavy duty trucks in China is expected to grow 3.2 percent from now to 2016, compared with 13 percent in the 2007-2011 period as the market is going through adjustment, consulting firm AlixPartners said in a report.
Last year Daimler sold 19,000 trucks in China, up 6.5 percent from 2011, against a 32 percent drop in the country's overall heavy truck market. China became the third largest importer of Mercedes-Benz trucks.
Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle brought two T-Lift models to the auto show to attract mid- and long-haul transportation companies.
Dongfeng, which is based in central China's Hubei Province, also stepped up its overseas sales and hopes to leverage its partnership with Volvo for product upgrades.
Dongfeng's joint venture with Volvo is expected to go into production later this year or early next year. Huang Gang, general manager of Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle, said the joint venture will mark Dongfeng's move toward globalization. The company is even considering setting up a research and development center in Europe to better serve overseas customers.
SAIC Motor Co Ltd presented eight new models of its Maxus line of multi-purpose vehicles, including a new concept MPV G10 that boasts green fuel-efficient technologies.