The third annual Global Automotive Forum opens in Chengdu's Global Convention Center on September 6, 2012. Photo provided to China Daily

The third annual Global Automotive Forum, themed "Shaping the Future of an Industry in Transition", aims to tackle major issues affecting the Chinese and global auto industry.

Wang Xia, director of the China Council for the Promotion of Trade (CCPIT), said the nation's vehicle sales volume in 2002 was 2 million, but the figure in 2012 reached 20 million. The growth signals the tremendous development of China's auto industry. The Global Automotive Forum will inject itself into the main artery of the nation's automotive industry to help promote the overall industry boom.

The forum is the biggest forum of its kind in China; it is also regarded as an important international meeting in the automotive industry as it fosters new ideas and dialogue.

Wang noted that Chinese manufacturers are currently making international export plans. The increase of exports is a major goal for self-developed Chinese brands in 2012 due to the slowing of the local Chinese car market. These plans are also a major topic of the 2012 GAF event.

The Global Automotive Forum invites major local and international manufacturers to discuss pressing issues in the global automotive industry. They come to share opinions on where the industry is heading and new ways of cooperation in mature and developing markets.

James Chai, secretary of the 2012 Global Automotive Forum, said that this forum aims to break the mold of traditional forums to create a two-way communication platform between attendees and speakers.