While Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda have been at the forefront of the green car revolution in the United States and United Kingdom, it is Chinese car firms that are emerging as the leaders of the pack in developing nations and on their own turf.
In China, Toyota has already sold small numbers of its Prius hybrid, but the sky-high price of 30,000 dollars has priced most motorists out of the market. As a result, Chinese carmakers are attempting to plug the gap by producing models of their own.
Chang’an Auto, the fourth largest car manufacturer in China, has begun mass production of a fuel battery hybrid model that should enter the market at a more wallet-friendly 20,000 dollars. In fact, the company has set a target of producing 50,000 Jiexun-HEV hybrid cars in 2010 according to the Chinese Daily.
There has been support from the Chinese Government too as part of its long-term science and technology plan. Two years ago it issued a policy directive encouraging the development of small cars and particularly those with low emissions and low fuel consumption levels.
While still targeting the ever-growing domestic market for green cars, Chinese firms are also hoping to branch out into developing nations.
Chery, the largest independent car maker in China is already planning to boost its sales in Russia, South America, the Middle East and South Africa with more compact vehicles at the forefront of its plans.
China remains the world’s third largest automobile market behind Japan and the United States and so this renewed emphasis on green manufacturing can be taken as a promising sign that the green motoring message is now being taken seriously worldwide.
