Figures show Chinese consumers not yet sold on merits of green cars

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said that only 5,655 electric vehicles (EV) were produced in China in 2011 and out of these, 5,579 were sold. A total of 2,713 hybrid cars were manufactured last year and 2,580 were sold; and all 31,000 alternative-fuel vehicles produced last year were sold. CAAM said the figures are an indication that Chinese consumers are not yet convinced of the merits of green vehicles. In contrast and inspite of the absence of government incentives, sales of sedans rose 6.62% to more than 10 million units last year. In a bid to boost sales, Chinese car makers have been pushing overseas sales of alternative-fuel and new energy vehicles. (January 19, 2012)