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Giant and Merida are looking to boost sales close to home this year, with CENs reporting a combined 3.3 million unit sales expectancy in China.
According to the site, Merida’s chairman Ike Tseng says that last year saw unprecedented growth in China, particularly among high-end consumers, with 560,000 units sold, making China the biggest single market for the Taiwanese bike maker. The European and US markets are only forecasted to see slight growth this year.
Giant’s Tony Lo has good reason to echo his competitor’s statements, having expanding the mainland China manufacturing capacity this year with a new factory in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. The Giant chairman is also looking to expand the domestic dealer network from the 2,000 at present to around 2,500.
Similarly, Merida is reported to be investing around $100 million in a new manufacturing plant in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, scheduled to begin production in 2013.
Giant expects to sell six million bikes globally in 2012.
