In response to a number of calls and e-mails, priority registration for the SEMA China Business Development Conference has been extended until July 15. Don't miss the opportunity to learn about the potential for your products in the growing Chinese market.

The deadline to register for Priority Booth Space at the SEMA China Business Development Conference is June 15.

It’s hard to miss news about the fast growth of China’s passenger-vehicle market. Sales rose by 37% in 2010 to 11.9 million units, according to J.D. Power and Associates. In the United States, sales of light vehicles rose by 11% to 11.6 million units.

The Classic Vehicle Union of China (CVUC) has about 800 classic cars among its 400 members, but that is bound to grow, figures CVUC president Yang Li. There are up to 10,000 classic cars in China, he told SEMA.

Taking place in Beijing, September 7–10, SEMA manufacturers will participate in one-on-one meetings with qualified Chinese buyers through the SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference. More information is available at www.sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer: lindas@sema.org.

SEMA has created a unique program to assist members in exploring their products’ sales potential in China at the upcoming SEMA China CIAPE China Business Development Conference, September 7–10, in Beijing.

Car ownership in China is growing, and just like auto enthusiasts everywhere, Chinese drivers like to make their cars stand out. From expensive sports cars to off-road warriors, customization is increasingly popular among a wide segment of consumers in China.

Twenty-one SEMA members just returned from Beijing where they participated in the inaugural SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference. Each SEMA member participated in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with Chinese distributors and retailers from throughout China.

Subaru is a popular brand for modification in China, says Liu Qingfeng, owner of the online aftermarket company carnet.com.

“We found that about 40% of Subaru consumers seek high performance products,” he said. Subaru owners are also enthusiastic car club members; Liu reaches them through those clubs.

The Subaru brand is thriving in China—sales in the first seven months of 2010 rose 78% on-year to 31,234 units, according to J.D. Power and Associates. The best selling model was the Forester SUV at 20,124 units. The Outback was a distant second with sales of just more than 6,000 units.

Private passenger-car sales only took off in China around 2001. Initially, the government was the main consumer of vehicles of all kinds. Private car ownership was out of the reach of most Chinese.