Although GTI sales are on an upward trend, the American hot hatch is a rare breed as there are just three options. We have the aging Ford Focus ST, and a new pair of hatches from Germany: the Volkswagen GTI and the MINI Cooper S. (Yes MINI fans, I’m calling the MINI German.) The last time I reviewed the GTI and Focus ST, the Focus came out on top despite the greater refinement Volkswagen offered. This time we have an all new GTI while Subaru has kicked the 5-door WRX to the curb, BMW has redesigned the MINI Cooper JCW and Ford has “gone Euro” by jamming a 2.3L turbo in the Mustang. Where does that leave the GTI?

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Remember how GM brags that they are the largest auto manufacturer in China? CAAM, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers says otherwise (via Gasgoo.) Here is the official CAAM list of the 10 largest passenger vehicle manufacturers in China, and their units sold in 2009:

1. Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co: 708,100 units
2. FAW-VW Automobile Co Ltd: 669,200 units
3. Shanghai General Motors Co Ltd: 668,200 units
4. Beijing Hyundai Motor Co: 521,000 units
5. Dongfeng Nissan Ltd: 459,300 units
6. BYD Co Ltd: 448,400 units
7. Chery Automobile Co Ltd: 409,300 units
8. Guangqi Honda Automobile Co Ltd: 337,200 units
9. Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co Ltd: 334,700 units
10. Geely Holding Group Co Ltd: 329,100 units

Taken into account that VW makes their Chinese cars with two joint ventures, SVW and FAW-VW, Volkswagen’s  combined total rises to 1,377,300. The imported VWs bring the number well above 1.4m . (Read More…)