These indigenous Chinese automakers captured 28.7 percent of the market in January , the first time in many years that Chinese brands have been pre-eminent -- ahead of brands from Japan -LRB- 27.8 percent -RRB- , Europe -LRB- 19 percent -RRB- , the United States -LRB- 14 percent -RRB- and South Korea -LRB- 10.3 percent -RRB- , according to Automotive Resources Asia , a consulting firm in Shanghai .