Car sales increase over shopping festival

Automakers achieved good results during Shanghai's Double Five Shopping Festival and buyers may expect to enjoy discounts as activities and promotions continue.

Shanghai’s commerce commission said at a press conference on Wednesday that 12 key auto companies had seen sales rise 16.8 percent year on year after the city held the festival. SAIC Motor Group orders increased 30.7 percent year on year while Yongda Auto’s sales increased by 1.1 times from the previous month.

The city will continue to rev up auto consumption in May and June with the implementation of policies and measures. A series of activities by SAIC Motor Group will be held and promotions will continue until the end of June.

From May 1 to 12, SAIC said it received 85,000 potential car buyers in Shanghai, a jump of 58 percent year on year. The automaker also had almost 10,000 orders during that period, an increase of 23 percent year on year.

SAIC said it will continue with its promotions. For example, its MG brand will offer 100 MG HS sport-utility vehicles at preferential prices. 

Yongda Auto is to team up with Shanghai SMG-CJ Homeshopping Co Ltd to conduct promotions on television every Tuesday and Thursday. Electric Formula Park in Jiading District has opened to the public. 

Dongchang Group will join with Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Buick, Roewe and other brands to promote new vehicles. Auto services platform Tuhu.cn will continue to provide 700 million yuan (US$98.7 million) in subsidies to car buyers.