Nízkoemisní auta populární v Číně

Fuel-efficient cars with low emissions proved popular in China's auto market in the first half of this year.

Xiali, manufactured by the Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co. Ltd. and popular for its low energy-consumption, kept its number one position on the list of top selling low-emission cars, Xinhua news agency said.

The company sold 93,800 Xiali vehicles in the first six months of this year.

Xiali was followed by the Excelle of Shanghai General Motors and the Elantra from Beijing Hyundai, with sales of 86,900 and 85,400 respectively.

Insiders attributed the popularity of low-emission cars to soaring oil prices and preferential government policies on vehicles with low emissions, Xinhua said. Earlier this year, the government also began promoting small, low-emission cars as oil prices remained high and environmental concerns grew over the nation's fast-rising auto culture.

It ordered the lifting of restrictions on small cars, which were banned by some local governments due to fears that the cheaper vehicles would cause an explosion in vehicles on the road.

The government is also considering creating a new tax system for the auto industry that would promote low-emission cars and penalise large, petrol-guzzling vehicles.  

The number of private cars on China's roads has nearly tripled in five years.

ZDROJ:China daily, kráceno