Starting September 20, Beijing lifted its even-odd plate license restrictions imposed for two months on the capital city's vehicle driving during the Olympic season, and some new policy to stimulate the future auto market is in the pipeline. All this gives China's carmakers, who are suffering from a market slump, a chance for heaving a sigh of relief and a hope of having a warm winter in the months ahead.

A spokeswoman of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (GAC) confirmed on Tuesday that the company is in talks with Italian carmaker Fiat for technological cooperation in making cars in Guangzhou Auto, reported Chinese media today.

American Automotive, a Greenwich, Conn.-based company, signed a contract today to team with three German technology-supporting companies. The tie-up will offer "professional and one-stop" service that helps Chinese automakers to sell cars in North America and other overseas markets.

Japan's Asahi Glass Co., Ltd, a global giant maker of automotive glass, has kicked off the operation of its wholly-owned facility in Foshan, Guangdong province, reported Guangzhou Daily yesterday. The Asahi Glass plant, its second in China, will supply for Japan's auto joint ventures in the southern Chinese province.

Chery, one of the top-selling Chinese auto brands, has increased its overseas sales to 40% of its total sales this year and tries to achieve half of its total sales abroad by 2010 , Beijing Business News reported yesterday.

Anhui-based Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (JAC) which produce both passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, will launch its second sedan model -- a 1.3L A-class car named "Tongyue" (literarily meaning "happy together"), reported Beijing News on September 15.

On September 16, Guangzhou Automobile Group Bus Co., Ltd officially started operation in Guangzhou, according to Nanfang Daily.

Brilliance Auto, a leading manufacturer and distributor of sedans, minibuses and auto parts in China, will officially launch its production base in Mianyang, Sichuan province by the end of this year, Beijing Business reported today.

Brilliance Auto, the Chinese partner of BMW, will add a new production base near to its existing plant, Jinghua newspaper said, citing an unnamed company official.

China’s auto giant Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group) (SAIC) is well on its way to promoting the own-brand products. The SAIC announced it will officially put its passenger division's Linggang factory into operation on September 17, which will roll out SAIC’s independent brand Roewe 550 by then, said the Oriental Morning Post, citing sources.

A senior sales officer at Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co, Toyota Motor Co's Chinese partner, said the company will launch a new small car to replace the long-lived Xiali brand by March or April next year.

Chinese carmaker BYD Auto announced it will get both its output and sales at 800,000 units by 2010, said Beijing Morning Post today.