Spotlight on homegrown brands at Macao auto expo

MACAO - The largest-ever automobile exposition in Macao special administrative region was on show from Oct 28 to 30 at the Venetian Resort Hotel, with a rich display of around 300 vehicles with both Chinese and foreign nameplates.

The 2011 China (Macau) International Automobile Exposition highlighted indigenous brand cars brought by 18 domestic manufacturers including FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor Corp, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co and Geely Automobile Co.

It was the first time Chinese automakers had participated an auto show outside the mainland in such a large scale.

Ren Hongbin, chairman of China National Machinery Industry Corp (Sinomach), one of the hosts of the exhibition, said that the company has long wanted to showcase domestic car brands and their latest achievements outside the mainland.

Sinomach is the country's leading automobile trade and service company and also the organizer of the Beijing auto show.

Their wish came true with the Macao auto show, a new window for Chinese automobile industry to be known to the world, Ren said.

With the geographic advantage of Macao, the exhibition was expected to form a bridge between Chinese carmakers and overseas markets, especially Southeast Asian and Portuguese-speaking countries, he added.

FAW Group, one of the leading domestic carmakers in China, brought 10 vehicles and two powertrains to the exhibition and had the largest booth.

Its displays included Besturn, Vita and Xiali cars as well as the premium Hongqi (or Red Flag) limousine. The company's two concept cars - the B9 and GO - as well as its self-developed hybrid and electric vehicles were also on stage.

Domestic carmaker Geely had eight models on the show under its three nameplates - the Emgrand, Gleagle and Englon. Due to its acquisition of Swedish automaker Volvo, Geely gained more fame in Macao and attracted many local visitors to its booth.

Guangzhou Automobile Group brought is Trumpchi sedans to the exhibition.

China became the world's largest auto market since 2009. Last year vehicle production and sales in the country have both exceeded 18 million units. Yet analysts noted that the industry needs to be stronger and bigger, and competitive Chinese homegrown brands are the key.

The exhibition also featured venues exhibiting auto parts and accessories, imported vehicles and luxury supercars.

It had a special collection of old vehicles that were used by diplomats and heads of state.

According to the organizers, about 360 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions joined the exhibition that covered an area of 51,000 square meters. About 100,000 visitors attended the three-day exhibition.

A forum on the topic of "China manufacturing internationalization" was held on the first day of the exposition, with delegates from governments and companies.

Auto exports by Chinese automakers continue to recover this year from a trough during the global financial crisis in 2008. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers estimates that full-year exports will likely surpass 800,000 units this year.

But exports are still a small portion of the country's output. Last year, 18 million vehicles were produced in the country while exports totaled fewer than 600,000 units.

Analysts said that Chinese automakers still have considerable room for growth in overseas shipment.

The exhibition was co-hosted by the Macau Convention & Exhibition Association, Nam Kwong (Group) Co Ltd and Sinomach.