wheel

China's car wheel rim and cover industry is growing rapidly, fueled by the booming auto industry in the mainland. Ford, Fiat, Toyota, GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan and Isuzu are some of the international automakers that have set up production facilities in China. The country exported US$562.2 million worth of wheel rims and covers in 2003, and exports from January to April 2004 grew 71 percent from US$158 million in the first four months of 2003 to US$270.3 million. Impressive growth is expected to continue in the coming years. Output for aluminum wheel rims alone is forecast to grow 120 percent from 26.4 million units in 2003 to 40 million units this year. China has more than 200 manufacturers of car wheel rims and covers, but only about 70 of these suppliers are capable of export. The country's main export markets are North America, Asia and the European Union. Fifty-seven percent of total exports are shipped to the United States alone. Although only 13 percent of export production is allotted to wheel covers, one-third of U.S. hubcap imports in 2003 come from China, at a value of US$26 million.