Chrysler Group and BAIC Give New JV Mid-Autumn Festival Gift: Local Production of Chrysler 300C
16 Septembre 2005 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
BEIJING, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler Group and
its long-time partner Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation
(BAIC) gave their new joint venture a very special Chinese
Mid-Autumn Festival gift today -- local production of the
award-winning Chrysler 300C. Just two weeks after starting his new
role as President and CEO of the Chrysler Group, Tom LaSorda came
to China to review the Company's plans here and to announce the
intention to build the Chrysler 300C at the new joint venture,
BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Ltd. (BBDCA), for the
Chinese market. "The Chrysler 300C, which to date has won more
awards in the U.S. than any other vehicle, is the flagship of the
Chrysler Group and symbolizes our plans to further develop our
brands in the world's fastest growing market," said LaSorda.
"Chrysler was the pioneer in China with the first international
automotive joint venture, Beijing Jeep(R) Corporation. Now, with
our long- time friends at BAIC, we've expanded the joint venture,
and have already started construction of the new facility where we
intend to produce the 300C." On September 2, the Chrysler 300C was
awarded the 2005 Most Popular Imported Luxury Premium Car in China,
in an internet survey from auto.sohu.com, Youth Sports Newspaper
and Pioneer Auto Market. During the event, LaSorda unveiled a giant
moon cake, reminiscent of the moon cakes traditionally given for
the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which takes place during the full
moon on September 18. The moon cake was lifted to dramatically
reveal the new Chrysler 300C. "My understanding is that in China,
the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional family celebration," added
LaSorda. "The family ties of Chrysler and BAIC go back more than
twenty years, so it's appropriate that we give BBDCA, the newest
member of our Chinese family, a very special gift -- local
production of the Chrysler 300C." "We are very excited about the
prospect of producing the world-famous Chrysler 300C in Beijing,"
said An Qingheng, Chairman of BBDCA and BAIC. "Local production of
this award-winning vehicle is indeed a great Mid-Autumn Festival
gift for the new joint venture, and we will work closely with
Chrysler and the relevant authorities to bring this project to
fruition." BBDCA has been operational since its business license
was issued last month. The 50:50 joint venture between
DaimlerChrysler and BAIC is an expansion of Beijing Jeep
Corporation, which produces and sells Jeep and Mitsubishi SUVs.
BBDCA will also produce Mercedes-Benz E- and C-Class sedans at a
new facility in the Beijing Development Area in the southeast part
of the city. The former BJC will relocate from its current site
downtown to a new facility adjacent to the new Mercedes-Benz
production hall. The Chrysler 300C will be built in a new Chrysler
production hall, starting by the end of 2006 at the new location.
The Chrysler Group, which produces and markets Chrysler, Jeep(R)
and Dodge brand vehicles, increased worldwide annual sales in
August, marking its seventeenth consecutive month of year-over-year
sales gains. The company is undergoing its most ambitious product
offensive, launching 25 new vehicles in three years. Its product
lineup includes: the award winning Chrysler 300C, industry-leading
Chrysler Voyager minivans with Stow 'n Go(TM) seating, and the
venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander and Jeep Wrangler,
among others. In North America the Chrysler Group also sells Dodge
branded vehicles, including the Dodge Charger, Dodge Ram Truck, and
of course, the Dodge Viper, among others. Dodge vehicles will soon
be available in Europe and additional international markets. The
Chrysler Group is a unit of DaimlerChrysler Group, one of the
world's leading transportation services companies, which builds and
markets passenger cars and commercial vehicles with the brands:
Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, smart, Chrysler Jeep, Dodge, Freightliner,
Setra, Sterling, Thomas Built and American LaFrance.
DaimlerChrysler Financial Services is the third-largest automotive
captive financial services provider in the world. DATASOURCE:
Chrysler Group CONTACT: Michael Aberlich of Chrysler Group, cell:
+1-248-635-7072, , or Trevor Hale of DaimlerChrysler (China) Ltd.,
+86-13601337084, Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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