China's auto market attracts software system firms
The world's third-largest independent software company, Infor Global Solutions, is planning to expand its presence in China which is expected to surpass the United States to become the world's largest automobile market this year, China Daily reported Monday.
Consumer demand for automobiles in China is also pushing up demand for software systems used by carmakers and parts suppliers, the newspaper said, citing Tobin Alexander, Infor's vice president for automotive industry sales in Japan and Asia-Pacific.
He said the company plans to increase business in China's automotive industry and profit from the rise of the country's car manufacturers.
Benefiting from this year's government stimulus package, China's auto output surged 78.85 percent year-on-year to 1.36 million units in September, while total sales hit a new monthly high of 1.33 million units, up 77.88 percent from a year earlier, according to figures released this month by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
Alexander said Infor expects double-digit growth in China this year. The company also has plans to increase its Chinese staff, which currently numbers more than 400.
Infor tends to focus on small and medium-sized Chinese carmakers in need of more software systems. It also foresees a huge market from automotive part suppliers, the newspaper said, citing Alexander.