Chengdu races to be China's new automotive hub

Sichuan capital becomes basefor expansion, technical progress

With car sales rising in China's vast western region, Chengdu appears to have developed a new revenue source with which automobile makers can expand their factories and gain an edge over the fierce competition taking place in the country's eastern region.

Although many cities, including Shenyang in Liaoning province, Changchun in Jilin province, Wuhan in Hubei province and Shanghai, have staked a claim to be the new hub of China's automobile industry, the Sichuan capital is attracting more automakers to assemble vehicles in order to meet the growing demand in China's western market, especially for passenger cars and sport utility vehicles.