With summer now in full swing, automobile companies have been releasing their reports for the first half of the year. According to a report appearing in theSecurities Daily, 35 of 83 automobile manufacturers have released their official performance reports. 12 of those manufacturers reported that their year-on-year growth rates fell from last year. In addition to their net profits, the manufacturers' reports also detailed sales figures.
Great Wall's first half performance was very lackluster. According to Great Wall's sales reports, the manufacturer sold a total of 34,700 vehicles so far this year, slightly less than the 36,800 vehicles it sold in the first half of 2013. While that figure may be enough for Great Wall to sell the over 75,000 vehicles it sold over the whole of 2013, it is only 39 percent of its announced 2014 sales goal of 89,000 vehicles.
Despite being able to maintain its SUV sales, Great Wall suffered a major fall of 49.9 percent in its sedan sales, selling just 56,996 sedans over the first half of this year. An anonymous industry source voiced his concerns: "Great Wall Motors' strategy is clearly focused on the SUV segment and ensuring SUV sales. Although Great Wall has constantly denied that it focuses on SUVs at the expense of sedans and ensured that it won't abandon developing its sedan operations, the manufacturer has always only paid moderate attention to its sedan business."
Automobile industry analyst Jia Xinguang also commented on the issue: "The Haval H8's delay to the market has led many in the media and industry to raise their concerns about Great Wall, as well as indirectly influenced the sales of Great Wall's other models."
While Great Wall reported a fall in sales, most other manufacturers reported positive sales growth. These manufacturers are capitalizing on the growth in the market; according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the Chinese automobile market grew by eight percent to ten percent.
Changan Automobile's growth rates was the highest among the above manufacturers. Changan's sales grew 25 percent from the 1.32 million vehicles it sold in the first half of 2013. The manufacturer has already achieved 57 percent of its 2.33 million sales target for this year.
SAIC Group also reported a respective year-on-year sales growth rate of 11.57 percent in its first half report. SAIC has sold a total of 2.86 million vehicles so far this year; the manufacturer aims to sell at least 5.6 million vehicles by the end of 2015.
