Chinese Drivers Dislike Japanese Cars: Study

Half of Chinese car buyers say they wouldn’t buy a Japanese car.

Automobile demand in China is cooling in the People’s Republic, but it still ranks as the world’s largest auto industry. Auto makers throughout the world are fighting for new customers and as such, China is a gold mine. Many of the world’s most expensive vehicles are sold there and while more affordable forms of personal transportation aren’t as sexy to look at, they’re big business for major manufacturers.

A study led by Bernstein Research that surveyed approximately 40,000 Chinese consumers suggests that 51 percent would not by a Japanese vehicles and nearly half cited anti-Japanese sentiment as the reason for not wanting to buy.

Cars from Germany are by far the favored choice in China. According to the study, acceptance of Japanese luxury cars is even worse than mainstream models there with only 41 percent of people surveyed saying they would consider a Japanese luxury vehicle.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]