By 2010, 55 million vehicles will be running on China's roads, the car ownership ratio will rise to 40 cars for every 1,000 Chinese citizens, and the annual production will soar to 9 million, predicted by Li Gang with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

As the third-largest car market in the world, the average number of cars owned by every 1000 citizens is currently only 24, compared with over 700 in the US and the world average of 120.

"In the coming five years, China will improve the product line structure of the whole auto industry." Li Gang said during the Fourth China-Germany Hi-tech Dialogue Forum. "We hope, even given that increase, the oil consumption will increase by no more than 50 percent."

Meanwhile, by 2010 domestic automakers are expected to sell 10 percent of their automobiles and 50 percent of their motorbikes to the international market, and major Chinese producers of auto parts will become a part of the international auto parts supply system, added Li.

At present, China's auto production consists of 8 percent in the world, and the figure will be on increase. Improving the capability of independent innovation of the whole auto industry is the direction and one of the key points during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.

By People's Daily Online