Chinese auto brands Great Wall, Hafei, Geely and Faw made their debut on the Peruvian car market, import company Zona Motors announced on Wednesday.

 

"Our plan is not to hide the cars' origins, but instead to show them off as a sign of (Chinese) innovation (which is) constantly advancing its technology with giant steps," said Constantin Lerner, the company's director general.

 

Peru's car market is experiencing major positive developments. For the first time, new car imports have overtaken imports of used cars, thanks to rising local demand.

 

Lerner said the new cars, all leading brands in China, had also been successful in Colombia and Venezuela, and would soon be available in Chile.

 

The Chinese-made cars are equipped with the latest environmental protection technology and will significantly help improve emissions levels in Peru.

 

According to Zona, the new Chinese cars will modernize the Peruvian auto industry. Their cheap prices, which are lower than the average car prices in Peru, will help place them in the market.

 

Zona estimates at least a three percent market share for the Chinese cars this year, and five percent by the end of 2007.

 

The cars have already undergone six months of testing and obtained certificates of quality.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2006)