|
|
Executive Summary
In China, Daimler is
planning to expand its partnership with Beijing Automotive (Beijing
Automotive Industry Holding Co., Ltd.) to the medium-/heavy-duty
truck business in order to operate the business globally. Fujian
Benz (Fujian Daimler Automotive Industry Co., Ltd.) will start
operations of its new plant that is a production base for light
vans in 2009, planning to begin producing Viano in May and Vito
in October of the same year (The plant is initially capable of
producing 40,000 a year).
Daimler will expand its
passenger car business by starting production of the new E-Class
at Beijing Benz (Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co.,
Ltd.) at an early date (as early as in 2009) and by launching
a smart-brand vehicle as one of the lineup of import cars in 2009.
Incidentally, with the introduction of the C-Class, Beijing Benz
almost doubled production of passenger cars under M-Benz brand
(6,411 in 2007. A 2.06-fold increase in the January-November period
of 2008).
In June 2008, Chrysler
singed a memorandum of understanding on a global tie-up in the
passenger car business with Great Wall Motor. The two companies
are reported to have started joint development of an A-class passenger
car. With this move, in December 2008, Chrysler announced that
it would suspend its tie-up with Chery Automobile, which was concluded
in July 2007. (The tie-up with Great Wall Motor is currently awaiting
approval by the Chinese government).
Daimler took over all
the stake of the former DaimlerChrysler held in Beijing Benz,
which was Chrysler's core production base (a final agreement was
reached in August 2008). Beijing Benz will continue producing
Chrysler 300C and Chrysler Sebring until 2013 on consignment.
Yet, if sales volume shrinks, the production may be discontinued.
Chrysler began consignment
production of Chrysler Grand Voyager and Dodge Caravan at Soueast
Motor (Soueast (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd.) in 2007. Yet, production
volume remains low. Chrysler's business in China is likely to
be sales mainly of import cars for the time being.
Production
of Daimler- and Chrysler-base models at plants in China |
| (units) |
Plant
(Annual production capacity) |
Model |
Base model |
2006 |
2007 |
Jan.-Nov.
2007 |
Jan.-Nov.
2008 |
Beijing
Benz
(100→100→300) |
Benchi E 2.0L |
Benz E200K |
962 |
1,012 |
981 |
971 |
| Benchi E 2.3L |
Benz E230 |
|
1,503 |
1,087 |
1,696 |
| Benchi E 2.8L |
Benz E280 |
4,528 |
4,082 |
3,922 |
4,081 |
| Benchi E 3.5L |
Benz E350 |
108 |
421 |
421 |
144 |
| Benchi C 2.0L |
Benz C200K |
|
|
|
4,669 |
| Benchi C 2.3L |
Benz C230 |
|
|
|
968 |
| Benchi C 2.8L |
Benz C280 |
|
|
|
667 |
Qienuoji
(Cherokee) |
Jeep
2500/4000/4700 |
3,364 |
18 |
18 |
|
| Kelaisile 300C |
Chrysler 300C |
2,478 |
9,004 |
8,824 |
822 |
| Borui |
Sebring |
|
49 |
11 |
8,589 |
| Supao |
Pajero Sport |
92 |
|
|
|
| Oulande |
Outlander |
6,194 |
4,147 |
4,145 |
|
| BJ2020 |
(Independent
development) |
1,000 |
|
|
|
| Mini Van |
1,000 |
|
|
|
| Total |
19,726 |
20,236 |
19,409 |
22,607 |
| M-Benz
brand |
5,598 |
7,018 |
6,411 |
13,196 |
| Chrysler/Jeep
brand |
5,842 |
9,071 |
8,853 |
9,411 |
Beiqi
Foton
Motor
(535→845→
965) |
Beijing
AUMAN
Heavy-duty
Truck Factory
(100→100) |
Heavy truck |
Foton
AUMAN
(Independent
development) |
1,480 |
1,884 |
1,884 |
1,137 |
Chassis for
heavy trucks |
13,129 |
25,865 |
24,260 |
23,886 |
Semi trailer
(Load capacity:
25-40t) |
12,076 |
28,004 |
25,712 |
32,355 |
| Medium truck |
170 |
227 |
227 |
89 |
Chassis for
medium trucks |
3,934 |
5,476 |
5,254 |
2,174 |
AUV
Bus Co.
(5→15) |
Large bus |
Foton
AUV
(Independent
development) |
575 |
1,205 |
1,034 |
1,464 |
| Medium bus |
667 |
724 |
676 |
786 |
Beijing
MP-X
Automobile
Factory
(100→100) |
Small bus |
(Independent
development) |
13,966 |
15,283 |
13,823 |
12,741 |
| MP-X (MPV) |
|
1,314 |
1,246 |
2,593 |
| Midi (MPV) |
|
|
|
195 |
Other
four
plants
(330→630→750) |
Chuanqi, etc
(SUV) |
1,265 |
605 |
583 |
807 |
Light truck/
Pickup |
Ollin/Forland/Sup,
etc
(Independent
development) |
286,930 |
331,681 |
301,985 |
300,578 |
| Mini truck |
4,171 |
925 |
906 |
213 |
| Total |
338,363 |
413,193 |
377,590 |
379,018 |
| Foton
AUMAN brand |
30,789 |
61,456 |
57,337 |
59,641 |
Yangzhou
Yaxing
Motor Coach
(7→7) |
Large bus |
Benz
bus
(Overall length:
more than 8.2m) |
602 |
1,046 |
1,274 |
450 |
| Medium bus |
1,484 |
1,875 |
2,201 |
2,329 |
| Small bus |
(Independent
development) |
321 |
204 |
157 |
344 |
| Total |
2,407 |
3,125 |
3,632 |
3,123 |
Benz-base
own brand model
(Including some Benz brand models) |
2,086 |
2,921 |
3,475 |
2,779 |
Anhui
Ankai Automobile
(Finished vehicle 5→5.5)
(Chassis 3→3) |
Large bus |
Setra
215HD/315HD |
1,477 |
897 |
757 |
1,118 |
Chassis for
large buses |
436 |
452 |
424 |
680 |
| Medium bus |
1,759 |
1,427 |
1,271 |
758 |
Chassis for
medium buses |
219 |
33 |
32 |
48 |
| Total |
3,891 |
2,809 |
2,484 |
2,604 |
| Setra-base
own brand model |
3,891 |
2,809 |
2,484 |
2,604 |
Beijing
Automobile Works
(100→300) |
Qishi |
Jeep 2500 |
|
1,660 |
1,581 |
1,363 |
| Luba (BJ2032) |
(Independent
development) |
2,394 |
1,507 |
1,459 |
1,542 |
| Leichi (BJ6030) |
30 |
10 |
10 |
|
2nd-generation
BJ2032 |
335 |
140 |
138 |
5 |
| BJ2022/2020JC |
|
2,275 |
1,738 |
4,616 |
| Mini Van |
7,032 |
5,598 |
5,113 |
4,232 |
| Small bus |
763 |
4,076 |
3,401 |
1,241 |
| Total |
10,554 |
15,266 |
13,440 |
12,999 |
| Jeep-base
own brand model |
|
1,660 |
1,581 |
1,363 |
Soueast
(Fujian) Motor
(150→300) |
Dajielong |
Grand Voyager |
|
1,588 |
1,031 |
2,152 |
| Daoqi Kailin |
Dodge Caravan |
|
|
|
600 |
| Lingshuai |
Lioncel |
12,674 |
3,558 |
3,497 |
5,249 |
| Fulika |
Freeca |
2,529 |
1,580 |
1,402 |
1,069 |
| Junge 2.0L |
Zinger |
|
|
|
30 |
| Lingshen |
Soveran |
1,192 |
2,557 |
2,452 |
702 |
| Lanse |
Lancer |
17,948 |
25,633 |
24,521 |
13,590 |
| Lingli |
T-box |
4,473 |
1,513 |
1,401 |
181 |
| Gelan |
Galant |
3,756 |
8,931 |
8,399 |
3,707 |
| Total |
42,572 |
45,360 |
42,703 |
27,280 |
| Chrysler/Dodge
brand |
|
1,588 |
1,031 |
2,752 |
| (Notes)
1. |
The figures in the parenthesis
in the Plant column shows the annual production capacity for
finished vehicles including models that do not based on Daimler/Chrysler
vehicles: 2008 Year-end → Around 2010 → Future
plan (The unit is in 1,000). |
| 2. |
Beijing Benz is a fifty-fifty
joint venture between Daimler and Beijing Automotive. Beiqi
Foton Motor is owned 37.71% by Beijing Automotive (the largest
shareholder). Daimler plans to take a 50% stake in Beijing
AUMAN Heavy-duty Truck Factory, which is Beiqi Foton Motor's
plant for medium-/heavy-duty trucks under Foton AUMAN. Yangzhou
Yaxing Motor Coach is owned 58.44% by Jiangsu Yaxing Automobile
Group. Anhui Ankai Automobile is owned 23.48% by Anhui Jianghuai
Automobile (the largest shareholder). Beijing Automobile Works
is owned 51% by Beijing Automotive and 49% by Beijing Automotive
Assembly Factory. Soueast (Fujian) Motor is owned 50% by Fujian
Motor Industrial Group, 25% by China Motor (Taiwan), and 25%
by Mitsubishi Motors. |
| 3. |
Beijing Benz (the former Beijing
Jeep) discontinued production of Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2006
and Cherokee in 2007. Its production facilities were transferred
to Beijing Automobile Works. They were converted to production
facilities for the Qishi, an own-brand SUV based on Cherokee,
production of which began in March 2007. |
| 4. |
In the consignment production
of Mitsubishi brand SUVs at Beijing Benz, production of Pajero
Sport was discontinued in March 2006 (Production began in
2003) and that of Outlander was terminated in December 2007
before the expiry of the term of contract in 2012. |
| 5. |
Production of Beijing Benz's
proprietary models, BJ2020 and a minivan, was transferred
to Beijing Automobile Works in 2007. |
| 6. |
The other four plants of Beiqi
Foton Motor are the plant in Shandong prov./Hunan prov./Guangdong
prov./Sichuan prov. |
| 7. |
In August 2005, Anhui Ankai
Automobile concluded a licensing agreement for large bus technology
with DaimlerChrysler's bus subsidiary - EvoBus. The company
is currently producing a luxury bus based on Setra 215HD/315HD,
marketing it under its own brand. |
| 8. |
Of Soueast (Fujian) Motor's
annual production capacity of 150,000, Chrysler/Dodge brand
vehicles account for 35,000. |
|
Daimler expands its partnership
with Beijing Automotive to the field of commercial vehicles, starting
production of light vans at Fujian Benz
In August 2008, Daimler signed a letter of intent (LOI) on a global strategic partnership in the filed of medium-/heavy-duty trucks with Beiqi Foton Motor, a listed company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Beijing Automotive is the largest shareholder of Beiqi Foton Motor with a 37.71% stake. Daimler plans to establish an equally-owned new company and to build up an annual production system for 100,000 (This plan is currently awaiting approval by the Chinese government). Finished vehicles will be marketed under Foton AUMAN. Production of Daimler's large engine and vehicles that use the engine will begin in 2011.
Fujian Benz will start operations of its new plant that will be a production base for light vans in 2009. The new plant is scheduled to begin production of Viano in May and Vito in October (The initial production capacity is 40,000 a year).
In its passenger car business, Daimler plans to begin production of new E-Class at Beijing Benz at an early date (as early as in 2009). In addition, the auto manufacturer will start importing and selling smart brand models, B-Class (Sports Tourer) and GLK (Compact SUV) in 2009, expanding its product lineup.
Plan for joint venture project on a global partnership between Daimler and Beiqi Foton Motor (announced in August 2008)
| In August 2009, Daimler will jointly establish Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd. (which will also have an R&D center) based on Beijing AUMAN Heavy-duty Truck Factory (non-independent corporation), which is Beiqi Foton Motor's plant for medium-/heavy-duty trucks under Foton AUMAN, as a founding body. |
| The new company is capitalized at 5.6 billion RMB with 50% by Beiqi Foton Motor (in-kind investment of a plant as a founding body), 40% by Daimler, and 10% by Daimler North East Asia Investment Co., Ltd. (in which Daimler holds a 100% stake). The total investment is worth 6 billion 350.6 million RMB. |
| The new company will produce existing Foton AUMAN-brand models. It will begin mass-production of Daimler's large engine, OM457 (displacement: 12L, maximum output: 260-360kW, compliant with Euro 5 emission standard), and heavy-duty trucks that use OM457 (It will start trail production in 2010). The plant will prepare a production capacity for up to 100,000 finished vehicles in the immediate future. |
| Daimler will gradually increase production volume of the OM457 engine to 45,000 a year, targeting a local-content ratio of 62% in 2015 (including cam shaft/crankshaft/connecting rod). |
| Finished vehicles are all marketed under Foton AUMAN and Daimler-specification engines that they use are indicated as Mercedes-Benz Power. The new company will build up its own sales network in and outside of China based on Beiqi Foton Motor's sales/service network. Daimler's global sales network will support the new company's sales/service. |
| The new company will revamp existing Foton AUMAN-brand models, develop new models for the market in and outside of China (a carburetor is also developed), and tackle development for the localization of parts to be introduced from Daimler at an R&D center on its property. |
| Based on the assumption
that the new company will move into the black, the two companies
will found the two companies' overseas joint venture in Russia two
year later, in 2010, in South Asia three years later, in 2011, and
in Central and South America five years later, in 2013. These joint
ventures will be a production/sales center for Foton AUMAN brand
vehicles in each of the regions. |
| The companies will gradually expand this partnership to Beiqi Foton Motor's other businesses (for example, the bus business) (including expansion of the business outside of China). |
| Sources: Beiqi Foton Motor News Release (08.8.8/09.1.7), China Automotive News (08.8.11) |
| (Notes) 1. |
In January 2007, the former DaimlerChrysler announced a plan to take a 24% stake in Beiqi Foton Motor. However, since DaimlerChrysler was forming a partnership with Fujian Motor Industrial Group and Yangzhou Yaxing Motor Coach in the commercial vehicle business at that time, this equity participation was not realized because it infringed the investment regulations by the Chinese government. |
| 2. |
In March 2007, DaimlerChrysler sold a 50% stake it held in Yaxing Benz (Yaxing-Benz Limited) to its joint venture partner, Yangzhou Yaxing Motor Coach, thereby divesting from Yaxing Benz. The auto manufacturer also transferred production facilities to Yangzhou Yaxing Motor Coach. |
| 3. |
In December 2008, Beiqi Foton Motor announced that it would establish Russia Foton Motor Co., Ltd. (a tentative name) in Moscow, Russia, as its wholly-owned company that sells vehicles/engines/parts. |
Production/Sales plan by Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive (2009-2015) |
| (units) |
| |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Finished
vehicles |
Production/Sales |
64,000 |
83,000 |
95,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
| Vehicles that use OM457 |
- |
200 |
6,000 |
20,000 |
29,000 |
35,000 |
40,000 |
| OM457 engine |
Production |
- |
200 |
6,200 |
20,300 |
30,500 |
38,000 |
45,000 |
| Sales |
- |
- |
200 |
300 |
1,500 |
3,000 |
5,000 |
Source: Beiqi Foton Motor News Release (08.1.7)
Daimler: Fujian Benz's new plant starts operations in 2009, producing Viano/Vito light vans
| Fujian Benz (Fujian Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd.) was jointly established in Qingkou Town, Fuzhou city by three companies - Daimler and Fujian Motor Industrial Group/ China Motor (Taiwan) - in June 2007. Its new plant will start operations by May 2009 (Construction began in October 2007). The plant is originally capable of producing 40,000 a year (2 shifts), which is planned to increase to 60,000. The total investment in the new plant is worth 208 million Euros. |
| Daimler regards the new plant as an exclusive plant for light vans (including MPVs) and is scheduled to begin producing NCV2 series in 2009 - Viano (in May) and Vito (in October) - and to add production of Sprinter (NCV3) in 2010. In addition to selling the products in China, the auto manufacturer plans to export 10% of them to the Asia-Pacific region. |
| Fujian Benz is capitalized at 160 million Euro with 50% by Fujian Motor Industrial Group and 50% by Daimler Light Vehicle (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. (originally called DaimlerChrysler Light Vehicle (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. at the time of its establishment), which is a joint venture investment company in Shanghai between Daimler and China Motor (Taiwan). Fujian Benz is situated 1km away from Soueast (Fujian) Motor, which is a joint venture among Fujian Motor/China Motor/Mitsubishi Motors. |
| (Notes) 1. |
Daimler estimates that the procurement cost of parts in China will surpass 22 billion RMB in 2012 due to expansion of production by Beijing Benz, start of production by Fujian Benz, global tie-up with Beiqi Foton Motor in the medium-/heavy-truck business, and strong sales of import cars (The procurement cost of parts is planned to be 2.8 billion RMB in 2008). |
| 2. |
Zhejiang Zhongyu (Holding) Group had produced a special-build car of Daimler's Sprinter/Vito under license since November 2005. The Group discontinued production at Wuhan Zhongyu Automobile (Wuhan, Hubei prov.) in September 2007 due to slumping business and sold its plant to Dongfeng Yu'an Automobile (Shiyan, Hubei prov.) in January 2008. It states that licensed production of Sprinter/Vito will be transferred to Zhejiang Zhongyu Development (Xiaoshan, Zhejiang prov.) and will be continued there. |
Daimler's introduction of new models in its plants in China
| |
Outline |
| Beijing Benz |
C-Class |
In March 2008, the company
released C200K Youya-type/Shishang-type, and C280 Shishang-type
that come with 1.8/3.0L engine and a 7-speed AT. The selling price
is 378,000-478,000 RMB, approximately 20,000 RMB lower than that
of an import model. (Incidentally, BMW 3 series are priced at 339,800-391,000
and Audi A4 1.8T is priced at 275,400-335,500 RMB). |
| In June 2008, the company added C230 Shishang-type that comes with a 2.5L engine and a 7-speed AT (428,000 RMB). In September 2008, it added a low-priced specification - C200K Biaozhun-type (348,000 RMB). |
| In December 2008, the company released a new specification that additionally comes with Chinese version software as a standard feature for all its types. The selling price is 348,000 RMB for C200K Biaozhun-type, 385,000 RMB for Youya-type, 395,000 RMB for Shishang-type, 428,000 RMB for C230 Shishang-type, and 478,000 RMB for C280 Shishang-type. |
| E-Class |
In December 2008, the company launched a 2009 model of E230/E280 Shishang-type, which comes with GPS and a Bluetooth phone as a standard feature. The selling price remains at 548,000/618,000 RMB. It is reported that new E-Class (which is scheduled to be launched in Europe in March 2009) will also be released at an early date (as early as in 2009). |
| Fujian Benz |
Weiyanuo
(Viano) |
The model is a 6/7-seat MPV based on Viano, measuring 4993mm in length. It is scheduled to be launched in June 2009. It comes with a 2.5L gasoline engine with a maximum output of 140kW. The selling price is expected to be approximately 650,000 RMB (The import model comes with a 3.2L V6 engine). The annual sales target is 20,000. |
Weiting
(Vito) |
The model is a 3-row 7-seat minivan based on Vito, measuring 5223mm in length. It is scheduled to be launched in November 2009. The company is expected to make a 2.5L gasoline engine and a 2.2L diesel-powered engine available. |
Lingte
(Sprinter) |
The model is a minivan based on Sprinter. It is scheduled to be released in 2010. |
| (Note) |
At the Guangzhou Motor Show held in November 2008, Daimler unveiled its plan to introduce entry-class models in China as its business strategy over the new few years. In 2009, the auto manufacturer will introduce the smart fortwo (it announced a plan to introduce the smart at the Beijing Motor Show held in April 2008), B-Class (Sports Tourer), and GLK (Compact SUV) as models that it imports and sells. |
Chrysler is negotiating with Great Wall Motor on a global partnership in the passenger car business
In June 2008, Chrysler signed a memorandum of understanding on a global partnership in the passenger car business with Great Wall Motor. The two companies are reported to have already started joint development of an A-class passenger car. With this move, in December 2008, Chrysler announced that it had suspended its tie-up with Chery Automobile, which it concluded in July 2007.
In August 2008, Chrysler reached an agreement with Daimler on the final disposal of a 50% stake the former DaimlerChrysler held in Beijing Benz; Daimler is to take over all the stake. Production of Chrysler 300C and Chrysler Sebring at Beijing Benz is reported to be continued as consignment production until 2013. Yet, if sales volume shrinks, the production may be terminated.
Production volume of Chrysler Grand Voyager and Dodge Caravan, which began at Soueast (Fujian) Motor in 2007, remains small. Chrysler's business in China is highly likely to center on sales of import cars for the time being.
| (Note) |
For further details on a tie-up plan between Chrysler and Chery Automobile,
please refer to MarkLines Report No.618 "Chery Automobile in China Planning
to Produce 1.2 M Passenger Cars and 300,000 Commercial Vehicles in 2010
http://www.marklines.com/en/report/rep618_200711" released in November 2007. |
Chrysler withdrew from Beijing Benz while production of Chrysler brand vehicles will be continued until 2013
| In August 2008, Chrysler reached an agreement with Daimler on a final disposal of a 50% stake the former DaimlerChrysler held in Beijing Benz; Daimler would take over the entire stake. With this move, Beijing Automotive will acquire Beijing Benz's sales network for Chrysler vehicles as part of compensation for the withdrawal (approximately 100 dealers nationwide). Daimler plans to make an additional investment and to upgrade an exclusive production line for Chrysler models to a production line for Mercedes brand and Beijing brand vehicles. Beijing Benz is planned to be renamed from Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co., Ltd. to Beijing Benz-Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd. |
| Production of Chrysler brand models (Chrysler 300C/Sebring) at Beijing Benz will be continued until 2013 as consignment production (announced by Chrysler in September 2008). However, Beijing Benz announced that it would terminate production of Chrysler brand models if the scale of production does not reach a certain amount. Incidentally, sales of Chrysler brand models produced by Beijing Benz were transferred from Beijing Benz to Chrysler's Chinese headquarters - Chrysler (China). |
| (Note) |
Chrysler and Daimler planned to separate Beijing Benz, which the former DaimlerChrysler and Beijing Automotive established as a fifty-fifty joint venture in 2005, into the Daimler business and the Chrysler business. Yet, the plan was rejected by the Chinese government in January 2008 because the company was still in the early days of establishment and the scale after the separation was not enough. |
Chrysler ties up with Fujian Motor Industrial Group and consigns production of Chrysler/Dodge brand vehicles to Soueast (Fujian) Motor
| Chrysler started consignment production of Chrysler Grand Voyager in September 2007 and of Dodge Caravan in November 2007 at the Fuzhou plant of Soueast (Fujian) Motor, in which Fujian Motor Industrial Group holds a 50% stake. |
| (Note) |
Incidentally, an exclusive sales network for Dodge brand vehicles started selling the product in February 2008, when Dodge Caravan made by Soueast (Fujian) Motor was launched (Products marketed were Caravan made by Soueast (Fujian) Motor, and import cars, Avenger and Caliber). The number of dealers were originally planned to increase to 60 mainly in the metropolitan areas by the end of 2008. Yet, the plan was discontinued in April 2008. At that time, 35 exclusive dealers for Dodge models were integrated into the existing sales network for Chrysler brand vehicles. Chrysler's sales network in China consists of approximately 130 dealers that deal simultaneously with the three brands - Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge. (Soueast (Fujian) Motor is reported to have taken the lead in the exclusive sales network for Dodge brand vehicles) |
Chrysler negotiated a tie-up with Great Wall Motor. The two companies have already began joint development of A-class passenger cars
| In June 2008, Chrysler
signed a memorandum of understanding on a tie-up with Great Wall
Motor in the passenger car business. Although details have not been
made public, the essential features are reported as follows: (1)
the two companies will simultaneously market Chrysler/Great Wall
brand vehicles worldwide by mutually utilizing their (existing)
sales networks. (2) They will expand their business partnership
into the field of technology/parts. |
| After it announced that it would suspend its partnership with Chery Automobile in December 2008, Chrysler is currently accelerating its negotiation on a tie-up with Great Wall Motor. The two companies have already initiated joint development of two A-class passenger cars (development code: CH031 (hatchback) and CH041 (sedan). It is reported that Great Wall Motor plans to produce the hatchback, or CH031, at its Baoding plant in Hebei province and to export all the products under Chrysler brands. |
| Great Wall Motor had mainly produced SUVs/Pickups and entered into the filed of compact passenger cars including MPVs in 2007. Its four domestic plants are capable of producing 400,000 finished vehicles a year. The company exported approximately 50,000 to about 120 countries and regions in 2007. Great Wall Motor intends to build up a production system for 300,000 engines by 2010. It has started producing transmissions in March 2008. |
| (Note) |
There is a media report that Chrysler also negotiated with Changan Automobile on exporting Changan Automobile's own-brand compact passenger car, BenBen, to South America under Dodge brand. |
Chrysler agreed with Chery Automobile to suspend their tie-up
| In December 2008, Chrysler announced that it had reached an agreement with China-based Chery Automobile to suspend their tie-up contract that was concluded in July 2007. The reason for the suspension was not revealed. In October 2006, Chrysler and Chery Automobile agreed that Chery Automobile would produce Chrysler-brand compact cars to supply the product to Europe and that they would jointly develop a new model (The then board of auditors of DaimlerChrysler approved the plan in February 2007). The two companies' tie-up project in the compact car business was approved by the Chinese government in July 2007 and they concluded a tie-up contract. |
| (Note) |
Chery Automobile already started supplying ACTECO engine to Chrysler in 2005. It is reported that, after they reached an agreement on their tie-up, Chery Automobile asked Chrysler to transfer a production line for 4-speed ATs from Chrysler's Kokomo plant in Indiana, USA to China for the production of Chrysler brand vehicles. |
Chrysler's introduction of new models in its Chinese plants
| |
Outline |
| Beijing Benz |
Borui
(Sebring) |
The model is a Chinese specification sedan of Sebring. It was released in March 2008 as a medium-class and high-end sedan for commercial use. The model comes with a 2.0/2.4/2.7L engine. It is equipped with six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, etc. as standard features. The selling price is 182,000-250,000 RMB. |
Soueast
(Fujian)
Motor |
Dajielong
(Grand Voyager) |
The model is a first Chrysler brand vehicle that Soueast (Fujian) Motor produces on consignment. It is based on Grand Voyager. Production began in September 2007. The model comes with a 3.3L V6 engine with a maximum output of 128kW and a 4-speed AT. It was released in October 2007. The selling price is 319,000-359,000 RMB (The price of import model is 345,000-398,000 RMB). |
Kailing
(Caravan) |
The model is a first Dodge brand vehicle that Soueast (Fujian) Motor produces on consignment. It is based on Caravan. It comes with a 3.0L V6 engine and a 4-speed AT. It uses Stow 'n Go seats (The 2nd/3rd row can be stored under the floor). The model was released in February 2008, targeting private entrepreneurs (Subscription sale began in November 2007). The selling price is 239,000-339,000 RMB. |
Great Wall
Motor |
CH031
(development
code) |
The model is an A-class hatchback that Chrysler plans to jointly develop with Great Wall Motor. It is planned to be released in 2009 or later. Great Wall Motor's Baoding plant will produce the product, planning to export all the products to Chrysler on an OEM basis. It is reported that if the export volume falls below the target, Great Wall Motor will sell the product in China. |
CH041
(development
code) |
The model is an A-class sedan that Chrysler plans to jointly develop with Great Wall Motor. It is planned to be released in 2009 or later. Great Wall Motor plans to produce and sell the model under Chrysler brand. |
| (Note) |
Chrysler added to its lineup of import cars Dodge Avenger (Fengzhe: The selling price is 278,000-308,000 RMB) in January 2008, and Dodge Caliber (Kubo: 230,000 RMB) and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2008 (Mumaren: 439,900 RMB) in February of the same year. In 2009, the auto manufacturer plans to add Dodge Journey, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and Jeep Compass. |
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