China Drives Forward

China will have produced 5.9 million cars and light-duty commercial vehicles by the end of the year and bumped out Germany as the world's third largest auto producer, according to a recent study by Polk Marketing Systems in Essen.

Germany is expected to produce 5.38 million cars in 2006. The United States remains the largest auto producer in the world with some 11 million, followed closely by Japan with 10.63 million vehicles.

The report said the global total of cars produced this year -- a record 64 million -- is up 4 percent from 2005.

China to become even more competitive

Polk analysts said they expect annual statistics for global car production to reach 75 million by 2015.

Production in China should break 10 million vehicles within the next decade, they said, putting the country on equal footing with the US and Japan.

Germany may have to turn in its bronze medal for national production, but German auto manufacturer Volkswagen is stepping into Chevrolet's place as the third largest car maker in the world. Its 3.8 million vehicles in 2006 represent a 13 percent increase over the previous year.

VW will also be able to take heart in knowing it's joint venture with First Automotive Works in China is set to double sales to 600,000 by 2011, according to the Chinese state press.

Toyota is set to overtake General Motors as the largest manufacturer with 7.5 million cars this year, while Ford takes second place.