中国成为全球最重要的汽车市场

    From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report.
    这里是美国之音慢速英语经济报道。

    China is strengthening its image as the most important market for the auto industry. Chinese auto sales are up 13 percent from one year ago. Industry observers are predicting total sales of over 20 million vehicles this year.
    中国正在强化其作为汽车行业最重要市场的形象。中国汽车销售与去年相比增长了13%。业界观察人士预测今年中国汽车总销量将超过2千万辆。

    By comparison, a little more than 15 million vehicles are expected to be sold in the United States. The importance of the Chinese market could be seen last month at the Shanghai auto show, industry representatives there were showing products design to meet China's growing demand for luxury cars, and larger vehicles.
    相比之下,预计美国将售出略多于1500万辆汽车。中国市场的重要性在上月的上海车展上可见一斑,业界代表展示了产品设计以满足中国日益增长的豪华车以及大空间车辆的需求。

    Dave Schoch is with Ford Motor company. He welcomed the chance to meet with thousands of possible car buyers.
    戴夫·肖赫(Dave Schoch)来自福特汽车公司。他对这次见到上千潜在购车用户的机会表示欢迎。

    "So you've got 30 million customers out there, all with different tastes and different affordability levels. And what Ford wants to do is bring the power and leverage of our global line-up, you know from small to medium to large, into China."
    肖赫表示:“在中国你会有3千万客户,他们品味不同,经济能力水平不同。福特要做的就是把我们从小型到中型到大型汽车全球阵容的能量和影响带到中国。”

    However, competition can be fierce. Dieter Zetsche is the chairman of the German Auto manufacturer Daimler AG.
    然而竞争会很激烈。蔡澈是德国汽车制造商戴姆勒公司(Daimler AG)的主席。

    "We are increasing our local content here in this country. And next month we are opening the first engine plant with the capacity of 250,000 units outside of Germany for Mercedes engines."
    蔡澈表示:“我们正在提升在中国的国产化。下个月我们将在德国之外开设首家具备25万台奔驰发动机生产能力的发动机厂。

    Many Chinese see cars as a sign of success. Yale Zhang is with Automotive Foresight -- an industry group. He says the rising demand for top quality automobiles is a sign of China's rise as an economic superpower.
    许多中国人将汽车看作成功的一个标志。张豫来自一家行业组织Automotive Foresight。他表示,对顶级汽车需求的上升是中国作为一个经济超级大国崛起的标志。

    "This market is becoming more like European or American style."
    张豫称,“中国汽车市场越来越具有欧洲或美国范。”

    Demand has been especially high for larger sport utility vehicles (SUV's).
    中国对大型运动型多用途车(SUV's)的需求一直比较高。

    Karsten Engel is head of the BMW group in China. He says the spaces insides of SUV's appeal to the newly rich, although some will probably never drive them.
    卡斯滕·恩格尔是宝马中国的负责人。他说,SUV's内部空间吸引了新贵阶层,虽然有些人可能永远也不会亲自开车。

    "The ultimate driving machine, you probably experience a lot from the rear seat with your driver, so you need more space, you want more space. You want to have the possibility to work in the car."
    恩格尔说,“你可能会在司机驾驶宝马车时对后座有诸多感触,所以你需要、你想要更大空间。你想获得在车上工作的可能性。”
    51VOA注:The ultimate driving machine(终极驾驶机器)一直以来是BMW 及其拥趸自我宣传的口号和身份标签。

    That's something Stefan Brungs understands. He is the marketing director for the automaker Bugatti's.
    对于这点,汽车制造商布加迪的市场总监也深有感触。

     "This is what the Chinese have learned and perceived as luxury -- to sit in the back and be chauffeured."
    他说,“这就是中国人学到并视为享受的一件事 -- 坐在后座由司机接送。

    The demand for larger cars is strong, yet environmental issues and fuel concerns are leading to increased interest in vehicles with better fuel economy.
    对大空间车辆的需求很强劲,然而环保问题和燃料问题使得人们对更好燃油经济性的兴趣增加。

    Nissan's Asia Vice President Andy Palmer: "Four years ago, when we introduced the concept of the electric car, most of our colleagues in the industry thought that we had lost our minds. Now it doesn't look so stupid, you know?"
    日产公司亚太副总裁安迪·帕默(Andy Palmer)说:“四年前当我们推出电动车概念时,大部分同行认为我们疯了。现在再看那个主意可不傻。”

    For now, observers say new hybrid and electric technology is not a major force in the Chinese market. New information shows sales of SUV's are up nearly 50 percent from a year ago, and experts says SUV sales are  likely to double by 2015.
    观察人士表示,新混合动力和电动技术现在还不是中国市场的主力。新信息显示,与去年同期相比,SUV销量增长了近50%。专家们表示,到2015年,SUV销量可能会翻番。
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