China’s National Brands Start to Hit Stride

China’s national brands are emerging as a force to be reckoned with as the country’s automotive industry evolves and matures.

A decade ago, their sales were negligible, their market share insignificant and their force non-existent.

Not these days. Sales of national-branded passenger cars last year soared to nearly 2.6 million units, while their share of China’s light-vehicle market rose to 29.6%, according to J.D. Power & Associates.

The best-selling car ...