The general manager of a leading Chinese car manufacturer this month submitted a proposal to China's congress for development of the car rental industry in the country, according to a news report from Worldsources Online.

Zhang Shirui, general manager of the Dongfeng-Citroen Automobile Co., introduced the proposal at a National People's Congress session. Shirui is also a deputy to the NPC, Worldsources reported. Most Chinese citizens do not own a private car, but 26 million hold a driver's license.

The car rental market in China is reportedly sluggish, although European and American car rental companies have recently set up operations. Zhang's proposal includes plans to form a nationwide network with chain operations.