China's vehicle demand may reach 20.8m

China's total vehicle demand consists of 16.8 million passenger cars, 8.5 percent more than that in 2012, and 385,000 commercial vehicles, an increase of 1 percent, the Economic Information Daily reported, citing China Association Auto Manufacturers.

The total demand is calculated by the total Chinese vehicles sales plus the number of imports and subtracting the export volume, said Shi Jianhua, deputy secretary-general of China Association Auto Manufacturers.

The passenger cars sales volume is expected to grow 8.5 percent to 16.8 million. The passenger cars market will maintain a steady growth, and the sales volume may reach 11.55 million, with a 7.5 percent year-on-year growth. The sales volume of SUVs may reach 490,000, with a 23 percent growth. The MPV sales volume may maintain the similar level as in 2012 at about 490,000. Demand for crossover passenger vehicles may grow by 2 percent to about 2.3 million.

The commercial vehicles market, including cargo trucks and buses, may witness a 1 percent increase to 3.85 million. The sales of cargo trucks may grow one percent to 3.3 million, and the bus market may increase to 520,000 with a growth of 5 percent.

In 2013, the imported cars demand may continuously slow to 25 percent and reach 1.45 million, but export may grow by 24 percent to 1.30 million.