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The larger sales figures for China also obscure the fact that most of China's dozens of automakers are small manufacturers serving mainly regional markets. So far, none of the domestic car manufacturers have managed to meet rigorous U.S. safety standards, and most Chinese vehicle exports go to other developing markets in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. But China's automakers are investing heavily in new technology and tie-ups with foreign market leaders while also launching electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. Meanwhile, they face ever intensifying competition from foreign automakers that are zeroing in on the China market for lack of strong alternatives elsewhere. "If China is the biggest market or the U.S. is the biggest market, it doesn't matter," said Ulrich Walker, chairman & CEO for Daimler Northeast Asia. But such indicators are crucial to marketing strategies, he said. "You have to know which is the biggest market because you have to tailor your products to fit," Walker said Wednesday as Daimler launched its Smart minicar in China, one of a slew of models due to debut in China before and during the April 20-28 Shanghai auto show.
[Associated
Press;
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