Gasgoo.com (Shanghai February 15) - The latest monthly performance report from Dongfeng Motor reveals that the manufacturer sold a total of 17,600 vehicles in January, Caijing reported today. The amount is 34.06 percent lower than what Dongfeng sold in January 2011. Dongfeng manufactured 17,800 vehicles during the same time span, 38.06 percent lower than last January.

SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks accounted for 6,568 of Dongfeng's sales last month, 30.18 percent lower than last January. Monthly sales of engines also decreased significantly, with only 11,780 units sold.

Early last December, the Dongfeng Group announced its 'D300' strategy to invest over 30 billion yuan ($4.76b) over the next five years to further develop its own brand business, with a proposed annual sales target of three million vehicles by 2016. Dongfeng-branded commercial vehicles would make up one million of those sales, while Dongfeng passenger vehicles would make up another one million. Investments in technology will be equivalent to over three percent of the manufacturer's total sales returns.

According to financial data provider Wind Information, five different bodies estimated Dongfeng's net profit last year to be 573 million yuan ($91.08m).

Dongfeng Motor's stock price increased 0.61 percent on Monday, finishing at 3.32 yuan ($0.5277).