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China's Thirst For Cars Overtakes U.S.

Posted by: Tim Halbur

11 January 2010 - 10:00am

The United States has been the largest market for automobile sales since the advent of the Model T. But in 2009, China's demand jumped a whopping 46 percent over the year before, as the American market slumped.

13.6 million cars were sold in China in 2009, while American sales slumped 21% to 10.4 million.

From Bloomberg News: "China's vehicle ownership climbed to 51 million by the end of 2008 from 1 million in 1977. Per capital disposable income for Chinese households increased 46-fold in nominal terms during the period, also making the country the world's biggest markets for products such as cell phones, beer and microwave ovens.

GM and Volkswagen have targeted growing Chinese demand to compensate for slumping sales in the U.S. and Europe."

Full Story: China Ends U.S.'s Reign as Largest Auto Market
Source: Bloomberg.com, January 11, 2010
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Powerful image re cars overruning China's streets

Submitted by HRPlanner on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 13:25.

There was a very powerful photograph in a popular magazine close to ten years ago, possibly Time or National Geographic, featuring China's bicyclists fighting against the cars overruning their streets. China's bicyclists weren't going to rest easy about this change on their route.

The image has stayed with me to this day. It reflected the importance of alternative transportation and sharing the road with cyclists.

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