Global automakers favor new energy cars in China

Edited and translated by People's Daily Online

Beijing, Nov.17 (People's Daily Online) --In preparation for its entry into China's electric vehicle market, Honda Motors conducted its first electric car verification test in Guangzhou China, which followed similar tests recently done in the United States and Japan.

Yao Yiming, deputy general manager of Guangzhou Honda, said that following the initiation of Honda's electric car verification tests, Guangzhou Honda is expected to produce electric cars in 2012.

On the same day, Volvo Cars signed a strategic new energy vehicle cooperation memorandum with Shanghai International Automobile City Group to jointly develop and operate new energy vehicles.

Earlier, Shanghai GM conducted a large test drive activity in Zhuhai to display its new line of energy-efficient new energy cars to pave the way for the upcoming launch of the Chevy Volt in China — a major piece of Shanghai GM's "Green Future" strategy.

Volkswagen released its electric car strategy in China's market as early as last year, and it has shown its confidence in taking the lead in developing new energy vehicles by putting the world's first electric demonstration car fleet into operation in Beijing in April 2011.