The ongoing global downturn has seriously affected Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automotive Co.'s vehicle exports, according to a company executive.
Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Auto*overseas orders*affect*economic crisis

 

Brilliance's president Liu Zhigang said the level of overseas orders received by his company in the past two months was as much as 30 percent less than the average for this year's first quarter. 

 

He was speaking last week in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province during the launch ceremony of Brilliance's first crossover model Splendor Cross. He did not give specific figures. 

 

"The economic crisis has a serious impact on vehicle demand in overseas markets," Liu said.  

 

Brilliance exported about 20,000 vehicles in 2008, mainly to developing countries such as Russia.  

 

A large portion of this number were Haise mini bus models sold under the Jinbei brand.  

 

The company also sells an undisclosed small number of its BS6 and BS4 sedans in European markets through a Luxembourg-based distributor - HSO Motors Europe.  

 

Liu said many countries in Europe, like Germany and Russia, only offer purchasing incentives for  their domestic brand vehicles, making it harder for Chinese automakers to expand into those markets.  

 

Liu said Brilliance sold about 50,000 passenger vehicles and 31,000 mini buses in the first five months of this year. He added the company aims to sell 200,000 vehicles this year, including 120,000 passenger vehicles.