News Content

Western Chinese auto exports slump 11.9pc as currency strengthens

TECHNICAL barriers and the appreciation of Renminbi have caused the continuous slowdown in the export of Chinese automobiles from the western China region in 2013, reports Xinhua.

Urumqi customs statistics show that during the first 11 months of 2013, auto exports via customs checkpoints in Xinjiang fell 11.9 per cent year on year to 19,253 vehicles. The value also fell 13.8 per cent to US$750 million.

In November, the auto exports rebounded to 2,112 units, representing a 53.2 per cent month-on-month growth.

From January to November, auto exports from private manufacturers fell 16.5 per cent to 11,143 vehicles, taking up 57.9 per cent of the Xinjiang's total automobile exports.

State-owned automakers exported 6,837 vehicles, down 3.6 per cent, accounting for 35.5 per cent of the total. Foreign-invested manufacturers' exports dropped 9.2 per cent to 1,219 vehicles, taking up six per cent of the total.

Kazakhstan remains the biggest export market for automobiles from western China. In the first 11 months, Xinjiang's auto exports to Kazakhstan declined 10.7 per cent year on year to 10,093 vehicles.

Meanwhile, Xinjiang exported 1,989 vehicles to Tajikistan, down 17.7 per cent, 1,415 to Turkmenistan, off 10.6 per cent and 1,973 to Russia plunging 42.6 per cent.

In 2012, there were 25,000 automobiles exported via Xinjiang checkpoints, 49 per cent increase year on year. The total value increased 44.5 per cent to $980 million.