China exported $1.936 billion worth of auto parts to the U.S. in the first quarter this year, just topping Germany which notched up $1.934 billion U.S. dollars, according to statistics from the U.S. Commerce Department cited by the newspaper. Japan is way out in front with a substantially higher $3.57 billion.
During the same period last year, China exported $1.52 billion worth of auto parts to the U.S., less than the $1.73 billion attributed to Germany.
Statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show that China’s exports of auto parts grew at 54% annually from 2000 to 2005, far outpacing the 29.5% rise in imports.
In the first three months this year, China exported a total of $2.57 billion worth of auto parts, a surge of 36% year on year, and imports stood at $2.42 billion, up 27%, according to China’s customs figures.
However, analysts here said China’s higher exports were not a demonstration of stronger competitiveness, adding that margins on German-made auto parts far exceed those from China.