Automotive News - 2008 Guide to China's Auto Market - (Page 12)

12 GLOBAL AUTOMAKERS/JOINT VENTURES General Motors China Investment Co. Jingmao Tower 10/F, No. 88 Shiji Road, Pudong District Shanghai 200121, P.R. China (86) 21-2898-7000, www.gmchina.com Top executive: Kevin Wale, chairman & CEO In 2007, General Motors expanded China’s role in global r&d with a new proving ground and an engineering center. GM’s sales in China remained strong. During an October visit to China by CEO Rick Wagoner, GM said it would build a wholly owned r&d center here. The center is part of a $250 million corporate campus. Its research will focus on alternative fuels and advanced propulsion systems. The r&d center also will help certify local suppliers, speeding up sourcing of components from China for GM’s worldwide operations. Also in October, GM announced a $225 million proving ground in the central China province of Anhui. The proving ground is a joint investment with manufacturing partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. At the same time, GM announced it will build a proving ground in Korea at its Daewoo subsidiary. Now, GM r&d chief Jim Queen can ask either Korea or China to support worldwide r&d activities and product development, said Nick Reilly, president of GM Asia Pacific. In November, GM established a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive to provide OnStar telematics service to China. OnStar provides navigation assistance, accident notification, roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics. On the sales side, GM’s growth slowed in 2007. Sales rose only 18.2 percent compared JV: Shanghai General Motors Corp. No. 1500 Shenjiang Road, Jin Qiao, Pudong DIstrict Shanghai 201206, P.R.China (86) 21-2890-2890, www.shanghaigm.com Top executive: Ding Lei, president 2007 2006 BUICK EXCELLE OPEL ASTRA TWIN TOP with 2006, according to Automotive Resources Asia. In 2006, sales rose 28.5 percent. GM sold 527,915 cars in China in 2007. Kevin Wale, president of GM China, attributed the slower growth to a lack of new models. “We’re going through that period where we are refreshing the product line,” he said. GM introduced only two new domestically produced models in China in 2007, the Buick Park Avenue sedan and the Chevrolet Epica. GM also began importing the Opel Astra Twin Top convertible and the Opel Astra GTC. In 2008, GM is bringing environmentally friendly technology to China. In January it launched the LaCrosse hybrid sedan, produced at its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive. GM will launch three new engines, all offering better fuel economy than its current lineup, the company says. GM also will introduce another hybrid model. Hybrids aren’t likely to boost GM’s sales in China much, although they will win kudos from the Chinese government. In 2008, look for GM to introduce in China new vehicles based on its global platforms. — Alysha Webb JV: Shanghai GM Dongyue Motors Co. No. 118 Changjiang Road, Development Zone, Yantai City Shandong Province 264006, P.R. China (86) 535-6966-666, www.chevrolet.com.cn Top executive: Huang Keji, president 2007 2006 Capacity 380,000 320,000 Production 288,638 268,022 Unit sales 268,000 268,642 Models produced: Buick LaCrosse, Park Avenue, Regal, Excelle, Excelle HRV; Cadillac SLS, Royaum Ownership: SAIC Motor Corp. 50% General Motors 50% Capacity 150,000 120,000 Production 138,326 106,686 Unit sales 159,241 105,444 Models produced: Chevrolet Sail, Sail SRV, Epica, Aveo, Lova Ownership: Shanghai General Motors Shanghai Automotive Co. General Motors China 50% 25% 25% JV: Shanghai GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. No. 15 North of Daying Road, Dadong District, Shenyang City Liaoning Province 110044, P.R. China (86) 24-8834-5678, www.buick.com.cn Top executive: Xu Linhua, president 2007 2006 JV: SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co. No. 18 Hexi Road, Liuzhou City Guangxi Province 545007, P.R. China (86) 772-3750-258, www.sgmw.com.cn Top executive: Shen Yang, president 2007 2006 Capacity 50,000 50,000 Production 40,627 40,031 Unit sales 40,031 38,030 Models produced: Buick GL8 Ownership: Shanghai General Motors Shanghai Automotive Co. General Motors China 50% 25% 25% Capacity 400,000 Production 29,871 Unit sales 32,510 Models produced: Chevrolet Spark 400,000 42,416 40,015 Ownership: Shanghai Automotive Co. General Motors China Wuling Automotive 50% 34% 16% 2008 GUIDE TO CHINA’S AUTO MARKET Automotive News • J.D. Power and Associates • Automotive Resources Asia http://www.gmchina.com http://www.gmchina.com http://www.chevrolet.com.cn http://www.shanghaigm.com http://www.buick.com.cn http://www.sgmw.com.cn

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