SAIC-GM-Wuling Opens Second Production Facility in Qingdao
31 March 2008
SAIC-GM-Wuling, GM’s mini-vehicle joint venture in China, began production at its second vehicle manufacturing facility in the coastal city of Qingdao. Its initial product is a new mini-commercial vehicle that is powered by a 1.2-liter double overhead cam gasoline engine.
The facility, which has an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, leverages GM’s global systems and processes and is capable of manufacturing multiple vehicles on the same line.
SAIC-GM-Wuling was launched in 2002. GM China holds a 34.0% stake, while SAIC holds 50.1% and Wuling Motors holds 15.9%. The joint venture sold 552,788 vehicles in 2007. It ended the year with a 43% share of the mini-vehicle segment in China, making it the segment leader for the second consecutive year.
That's the way to go to survive. GM's only profit last year was from abroad. The North American operations were deeply in the red.
It is difficult to compete, making ICE vehicles, without factories in China, India, other Asian countries, Brazil or Eastern Europe. This will be even more so for PHEVs and BEVs in the coming years.
Batteries, intelligent chargers, electric traction motors-generators, electronic control systems, electrified vehicle HVAC etc for PHEVs and BEVs will most probably come from the same countries as our Plasma/LCD HDTVs, PCs, Telephones, Digital cameras, video recoders, MODEMS, printers, etc, etc.
Importation of complete PHEVs and BEVs can be blocked for a while with sneaky safety and custom regulations but most components will be imported.
Like many other N-A Cos, GM has realized that and will have more and more joint ventures and factories abroad.
Posted by: Harvey D | 31 March 2008 at 05:08 PM
Unlike in US, GM is doing well in China.
Posted by: thomas | 31 March 2008 at 10:01 PM
How many tons of CO2 will these babies spew??
Posted by: taxmangoeth | 01 April 2008 at 06:15 PM