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11-12 meter long buses highlight the bus market

By Hao Zhou (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-06-13 14:20

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Growth in sales of large and medium buses slowed to 9.27 percent in the first quarter this year, almost 14 percentage points lower from a year ago, but sales of buses between 11 and 12 meters in length maintained a powerful growth of 28 percent with a total 7,048 units sold between January and March. Among the current 55 Chinese mainstream bus manufacturers, about 42, or 76.36 percent, own products in the 11-12 meter size range.

In the first three months, large buses accounted for 54.69 percent of the total bus sale. Yu Zhenqing, chief analyst of Chinabus.info, said: "As Chinese highway and road networks have continued expanding and upgrading in recent years, vehicles for passenger transportation are also shift to large-size and luxury models." The margins in selling one large bus are almost 10 times those of selling 10 medium buses, added Yu.

Although the 13.7 meter long bus is larger, it has not sold as well as hoped, considering its efficiency. In the city bus market, the 13.7-meter buses are also confined by certain road conditions and awkward turning performance. As a result, the 13.7 meter buses have been abandoned.

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The full text is available in the May Issue ofAuto China