Germany’s premium brands appeared confident about further growth in sales in China, but it will be slower than it has been in the past.
BMW told Reuters it is targeting “upper single-digit” sales growth in China this year. Sales chief Ian Robertson added that he did not expect the same growth of around 40% the company experienced last year.
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“The (Chinese) market is maturing somewhat. We’re expecting normalising growth figures in coming years,” he said.
Mercedes-Benz also expects higher car sales in China this year though the company was less upbeat than its German rival. CEO Dieter Zetsche said the premium market may expand “at a high single digit or low double digit rate”.
Audi is banking on growth in China to offset “long stagnation” in Europe. CEO Rupert Stadler reckoned it will take at least three to five years until European countries fully overcome their debt problems.
China’s passenger car market, however, could in future grow to 20m or 25m vehicles a year. Stadler added that Audi keeps growing and plans to increase its dealerships in China from 300 to around 500.
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