Japanese auto maker Nissan Motor Co. has announced it plans to start sales of its luxury Infiniti cars in China in mid-2007, half year earlier than originally scheduled.

Industry insiders said Nissan has started recruiting dealers in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and other major Chinese cities.

Nissan President, Carlos Ghosn, announced last April the car makers plans to promote its high-end Infiniti brand worldwide, and China is on Nissan's top list of new markets to explore.

The company plans to establish a unified selling and service network for Infiniti cars in most major Chinese cities in 2007, said Nissan China.

Market observers said Nissan's move underscores a heated global battle between car makers over the lucrative luxury auto market in China.

Statistics show that the sales of luxury brand cars in China increased 10 percent in 2005, far behind the 20 percent growth of other makes and models.

While Japan's largest auto maker Toyota Motor Corp. has been selling its high-end LEXUS brand cars in China for almost a year.

Toyota opened six franchised dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen last March, but the Lexus won't be available until August this year.

Source: Xinhua