VOA慢速英語(yǔ):China Becomes World's most Important Auto Market

[00:00.00]From VOA Learning English, [00:02.30]this is the Economics Report. [00:05.48]China is strengthening its image [00:08.67]as the most important market for the auto industry. [00:13.30]Chinese auto sales are up 13 percent from one year ago. [00:18.77]Industry observers are predicting [00:21.71]total sales of over 20 million vehicles this year. [00:26.49]By comparison, a little more than 15 million vehicles [00:31.77]are expected to be sold in the United States. [00:35.45]The importance of the Chinese market could be seen [00:39.73]last month at the Shanghai auto show, [00:43.01]industry representatives there were showing products design [00:48.33]to meet China's growing demand [00:51.59]for luxury cars, and larger vehicles. [00:55.38]Dave Schoch is with Ford Motor company. [00:59.01]He welcomed the chance to meet with thousands of possible car buyers. [01:04.69]"So you've got 30 million customers out there, [01:08.77]all with different tastes and different affordability levels. [01:13.44]And what Ford wants to do is bring the power [01:17.64]and leverage of our global line-up, [01:19.73]you know from small to medium to large, into China." [01:24.31]However, competition can be fierce. [01:27.89]Dieter Zetsche is the chairman of the German Auto manufacturer Daimler AG. [01:34.11]"We are increasing our local content here in this country. [01:37.35]And next month we are opening the first engine plant [01:42.87]with the capacity of 250,000 units outside of Germany for Mercedes engines." [01:47.91]Many Chinese see cars as a sign of success. [01:52.79]Yale Zhang is with automotive foresight -- an industry group. [01:58.16]He says the rising demand for top quality automobiles [02:03.54]is a sign of China's rise as an economic superpower. [02:08.81]"This market is becoming more like European or American style." [02:12.35]Demand has been especially high for larger sport utility vehicles (SUV's). [02:19.07]Karsten Engel is head of the BMW group in China. [02:24.36]He says the spaces insides of SUV's appeal to the newly rich, [02:31.00]although some will probably never drive them. [02:35.33]"The ultimate driving machine, [02:37.02]you probably experience a lot from the rear seat with your driver, [02:41.00]so you need more space, you want more space. [02:43.69]You want to have the possibility to work in the car." [02:47.48]That's something Stefan Brungs understands. [02:51.61]He is the marketing director for the automaker Bugatti's. [02:56.54]"This is what the Chinese have learned and perceived as luxury [03:00.43]-- to sit in the back and be chauffeured." [03:02.57]The demand for larger cars is strong, [03:05.65]yet environmental issues and fuel concerns are leading [03:11.18]to increased interest in vehicles with better fuel economy. [03:15.41]Nissan's Asia Vice President Andy Palmer: [03:19.59]"Four years ago, when we introduced the concept of the electric car, [03:23.32]most of our colleagues in the industry [03:26.16]thought that we had lost our minds. [03:27.70]Now it doesn't look so stupid, you know?" [03:29.74]For now, observers say new hybrid and electric technology [03:34.88]is not a major force in the Chinese market. [03:38.86]New information shows sales of SUV's [03:43.73]are up nearly 50 percent from a year ago, [03:47.02]and experts says SUV sales are likely to double by 2015. [03:53.69]And that's the Economics Report, [03:56.72]I'm Christopher Cruise.

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