High-polluting cars, considered one of the "environmental killers" in China, have recently been the subject of much criticism. As urban environmental pressures increase, Chinese consumers' willingness to purchase "green cars" is growing daily.
A report released today in Shanghai by McKinsey & Company, a globally renowned management consulting firm, indicates that China is poised to become the world's largest premium car market in 2016.
Sasha, a global managing partner at McKinsey’s Shanghai office, pointed out that in a survey of 1,200 luxury car consumers in 12 major Chinese cities, 26% of respondents were interested in the application of green technology in luxury cars and were willing to pay for “green technology driving”.
The report argues that "green technology" has become one of the key elements in preparing for the Chinese luxury car market. The report also points out that, given the increasing environmental pressure, Chinese consumers are becoming more accepting of related technologies, and automakers need to lead the innovation and application of green technology in Chinese luxury cars to attract consumers to buy them.
The report indicates that China's total sales of luxury cars reached 1.25 million units in 2012, making it the world's second-largest luxury car market after the United States. Over the past 10 years, China's luxury car market has continued to grow at an astonishing average annual rate of 36%, higher than the overall average annual growth rate of 26% for the Chinese passenger car market during the same period.
McKinsey research indicates that China is expected to surpass the United States as early as 2016 with annual sales of 2.25 million vehicles, becoming the world's largest luxury car market. To deeply penetrate the Chinese automotive market, green technologies and innovative applications that reduce pollution will be crucial factors that automakers and consumers cannot afford to ignore.
Sources: Central News Agency (2013-03-04)
