Summary: Sales performances of own brand manufacturers in the first half of 2012

Chinese own brand passenger automobile sales in the first six months of this year totaled 1.93 million units, falling 2.1 percent from 2011. Domestic manufacturers and industry analysts both attribute this to the relatively poor state of the passenger automobile market this year. Average growth rates fell from ten percent in the first half of 2011 to 8.1 percent in the first half of this year. Growth levels were much worse for own brands, decreasing from seven percent to negative 2.1 percent over the same time period.
 
As far as the sales rankings for the six months go, Chery maintained its top position despite a 9.3 percent drop in sales. Aside from the A1, whose sales increased 55.6 percent, and the Tiggo SUV, sales of the manufacturer's other key models fell noticeably.
 

BYD and FAW lost their respective number two and three positions to Geely and Great Wall. Number six to ten on the charts were as follows: Dongfeng, Changan, Jianghuai (JAC), SAIC and Brilliance.
 

BYD sales fell 11 percent, while those of FAW decreased 27.7 percent. Sales of key BYD models, including the F3, G3 and F6, fell over 30 percent. However, the decreases were balanced by strong performances by the brand new L3 sedan, S5 and G6. FAW's situation was even less ideal. Aside from its new own brand Oley and the Xenia minivan, sales of its other models, including the Xiali, Besturn B50, Besturn B70 and VZ, all decreased.
 
Meanwhile, Geely and Great Wall both saw positive growth, with their sales figures totaling 223,200 and 209,400 units, respectively. Sales of the Emgrand EC7 increased 24.8 percent, far quicker than other Geely models. Great Wall, which made its first appearance in the top three, saw its sales grow 4.2 percent above average. The Haval H6 and Voleex C30 were key contributors, with their respective sales totaling 58,000 and 68,000 units.
 
Number six entrant Dongfeng was able to maintain growth of 46 percent into 2012. By comparison, its total year-on-year sales growth for the whole of last year was near 50 percent. SAIC and Brilliance also managed to sustain positive growth rates. JAC, however, saw its sales slip near 30 percent, with sales of its flagship Refine, Heyue, Heyue RS and Tongyue all falling over the six month period.