China’s car market is likely to grow 5% in 2009 despite the global economic slump, a local Honda official has said.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


”China’s total car sales this year will likely be about 9.4m, 6% shy of the 10m [industry] estimate made earlier,” Honda Motor senior managing director and China unit head Atsuyoshi Hyogo told Kyodo News.


”I believe China’s GDP growth next year will remain above 8% and its car market is looking to grow by 5%,” Hyogo said.


He noted that negative growth rates were posted in July and August this year and predicted that next year would remain tough for the industry but added that China should still outperform US and European car markets.


Honda’s unusual export-focused Guangzhou joint venture on Thursday celebrated the shipment of the 100,000th Jazz (Fit) to Europe.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Honda Motor president Takeo Fukui said the slump would continue for a while as the global car market is more chaotic than during the Gulf War over a decade ago.


”Consider the economy in the United States and its population back then. Car sales today remain the same. It shows how chaotic the market is,” Fukui told Kyodo News.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now