The China car market assumed great salience in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, which pummeled auto demand elsewhere, Beijing’s successful use of stimulus measures to speed economic and sectoral growth, and the rapid expansion of China’s car culture. In response, many foreign firms accelerated their China investment plans, greased local relationships, and expanded the local sourcing of parts. China, now the world’s largest market, has become vital to global car companies’ sales revenues, licensing and royalty fees, and profits.
