Twenty provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions have joined in the production of automobiles, which exceeded 2 million for the first time last year.

Figures from the State Statistics Bureau show that sedan manufacturers increased rapidly to 32 in 2003 from 21 in 2002. But only eight -- five more than in 2002 -- produced more than 100,000 cars, with those in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province turning over only 500 units each for the whole year.

Shanghai Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen Automotive and Shanghai GM took the first places in production volume, followed by Tianjin FAW (including Tianjin Honda), Guangzhou Hongda, Aeolus-Citroen, Chang'an and SAIC Chery.

The eight carmakers, plus Fengshen Motor and Beijing Hyundai, together produced a total of 1,594,300 cars, accounting 78.8 percent of the nation's total.

However, 11 provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions reported sedan production of below 500,000 units.

Experts warned that auto companies with small production volumes and poor competitiveness might face the destiny of being acquired or bankruptcy.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2004)