Whatever else we may say about the Chinese domestic car market, it's huge - and one of the fastest-growing in the world - so when a new model takes over the top spot in its segment there, it behoves us to take note.
This, then is the EC7, a new subcompact from Geely that's available in China in either four-door sedan and five-door hatch format, and which will soon be launched in South Africa.
It's now the top seller in its segment of the Chinese domestic market, with record sales in the first half of this year, while Geely models also topped three out of four JD Power Customer Satisfaction Index categories there.
RESEARCH AND DEV ELOPMENT
Subcompact sales in China grew 10.2 percent in the first six months of 2012; this segment is now the biggest passenger car segment by volume, making up 37.7 percent of passenger car sales.
Geely SA also this month opened its own research and development centre at its head office in Midrand, Gauteng, to assist the Chinese automaker in adapting new models for local conditions.
The EC7 sedan will be launched in South Africa in the first quarter of 2013, while the hatch version will make its local debut in the third quarter.