Automakers expect big growth in China market

Global automakers made ambitious forecasts yesterday of up to 65 percent sales growth in China's booming market this year - a striking contrast to the gloom in the United States and elsewhere.

Sales of some models soared by up to 100 percent in the first quarter over the same period of last year, said executives speaking at the 2008 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which opened yesterday to the media for a preview. The show opens to the public from Tuesday to Sunday.

Toyota Motor Corp expects to sell 700,000 vehicles in China this year, up 40 percent from 2007, said executive Yuzo Ushiyama.