The China Auto Industry Association (CALA) has released the latest statistics on China's ever-growing auto industry.  In 2006, China's total auto production rose 27.32% to 7.279 million units, while sales volume jumped to 7.216 million units, a 25.13% increase from the previous year.  While overall consumption is expected to retain double-digit growth, the sedan is likely to outpace the average.

Ethylene production capacity is expected to rise from its current level of 9 million tons to 14 million tons by 2010.  Yet this increase would satisfy only half of the country's demands.  Given ethylene's importance as a product increasingly in demand, and its close ties to the national economy and people's daily lives, it is not surprising that ethylene market demands have attracted both Chinese and foreign petrochemical firms seeking to strengthen their presence in China.