Short Torque

Anti-dumping inquiry

China has formally launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into vehicle imports from the United States, a top Chinese trade official confirmed last week.

Industry officials and analysts said the decision is a move to show China's clout on the global economic stage.

The investigations began at the request of Chinese automakers, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said.

First proposed in September to counter US plans to impose a 35 percent tariff on tire imports from China totaling about $1.8 billion, the investigations could result in new duties on vehicle imports from the US. Chen said the probe is in accordance with Chinese laws and World Trade Organization rules.

Geely 'preferred' for Volvo

China's privately owned carmaker Geely Automobile was confirmed as preferred bidder for Ford Motor Co's loss-making Swedish unit Volvo Car Corp last week.

Ford said it would beholding more detailed and focused negotiations with Geely, which is based in Zhejiang province.

"Ford's objective in discussions with Geely is to secure an agreement that is in the best interests of all parties," said Lewis Booth, the US carmaker's executive vice-president and chief financial officer.

Porsche 4-door hits market

Austria's Porsche Holding GmbH, the retailer for sports car producer Porsche AG, said it will launch the Panamera, the carmaker's first sports car with four doors, in China this month to further tap the growing luxury vehicle market.

The model was displayed last week in Beijing at a reception organized by the Austrian Embassy in China for the European country's 54th National Day.

Porsche Holding also opened a Porsche Center last week in eastern city of Jinhua for sales and services, which is the largest of its kind in East China.

Nissan sales up 47 percent

Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co said its China sales surged by 35.2 percent year-on-year to 541,428 vehicles in the first three quarters of this year. Its passenger car sales in China jumped more than 47percent to 400,632 units in the period.

Nissan runs a joint venture with China's Dongfeng Motor Corp to make cars under its own brand and Dongfeng-brand commercial vehicles.

A top executive from Nissan said in April that the company aimed to move 570,000 vehicles this year in China, up 5 percent from 2008.

China Daily- Agencies

(China Daily 11/02/2009 page6)