China News - The Chinese car manufacturing industry is booming: 19 Feb 10

 

This news item about a Chinese car manufacturing company and its recent record sales can be used to discuss how quickly China is growing as a market. The conversation can develop into one that looks at China as a market for Western goods.

 

Do students think that in time Chinese made cars will be for sale in the UK? What type of jobs and skills does growing importance of Chinese companies imply will be needed by British people in the future?

 

This second website can be used to show the website of the company. Students can look at the extent to which the company is partnering with Germany (and not the UK). Ask the students to list and discuss the ways in which the two countries are partnering and why?

 

 

This website shows the company’s involvement in the forthcoming Shanghai expo. See other resource around the Shanghai expo.

 

In languages terms, vocabulary around greetings, negotiation and cars can be introduced to match the skills areas of respectively building relationships, partnering and understanding the Chinese market for cars.