Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive

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A military BJ2020 jeep on display in Beijing.

Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co Ltd (BBDC, in Chinese: 北京奔驰-戴姆勒·克莱斯勒汽车有限公司) is a 30-year joint venture established by American Motors (AMC) and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation. This joint venture is now part of DaimlerChrysler and DaimlerChrysler China Invest Corporation, each with a 50 percent stake.

The venture constructed a factory in Beijing in 2005 to assemble up to 25,000 Mercedes-Benz E- and C- Class sedans per year. The factory commenced operations in the beginning of 2006. A second new factory adjacent to it produces vehicles that were previously assembled by Beijing Jeep Company, the predecessor to the new joint venture. Jeep and Mitsubishi SUVs are assembled there.

History

Beijing Jeep Corporation (BJC, in Chinese: 北京吉普汽车有限公司) became China's first automotive joint venture when it was established in May 1983.

As the People's Republic of China opened its doors to the West in the late 1970s, American Motors (AMC) began negotiations in 1979 to sell its vehicles in its vast domestic market and to use low-cost Chinese labor for its supply chain. The Chinese sought access to modern automotive technology, as well new hard currency investment and income. The result was BJC in partnership with the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation, to produce AMC's Jeep Cherokee (XJ) in Beijing. The Chinese government created a large-scale joint venture with AMC that seemed to make money and appeared to be successful.

The venture became a showcase that was often visited not only by communist Chinese leaders, but also by foreign politicians and business executives. Although there were many problems, AMC's joint venture was used to attract other business from abroad, as well as placate other foreign investors struggling to establish operations in China that they should blame themselves and not the difficult Chinese business environment.[1].

Assembly of the Cherokee continued after Chrysler's buyout of AMC, as well as the UAZ-469-based SUVs (BJ212).

The joint venture added the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi Outlander, and BJC-branded and locally developed models. Until the 1990s, the vehicles produced by the venture still utilized three-speed manual transmissions. Production was limited for military consumption until the 1990s.

The factory was relocated and integrated into Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive in 2005.

Models

Current

Past

  • BJ212/BJ2020 [5]
  • Jeep 2500/2700 (based on the Jeep Cherokee (XJ)) (the original vehicle produced by the JV from 1984 to 2005)[2]

Future

A Chinese Beijing Benz Jeep 2020 'Warrior' at the Beijing Military Museum

Concepts (from 2008 Beijing Auto Show)

  • Beijing Auto 800 [3]
  • Beijing Auto 700R [4]
  • Beijing Auto 700 (sedan) [5]

See also

  • List of Chinese automakers

References

  1. Mann, Jim. (1997). Beijing Jeep: A Case Study of Western Business in China. Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-3327-X.
  2. Dunne, Timothy. "Can Chrysler Rebound in China?" Business Week, November 2, 2007. Retrieved on January 22 2008.
  3. "Ash", "Beijing Auto Works: Working on making Chinese muscle cars?", Retrieved April 24th 2008 [1]
  4. "Ash", "Beijing Auto Works: Working on making Chinese muscle cars?", Retrieved April 24th 2008 [2]
  5. "Ash", "Beijing Auto Works: Working on making Chinese muscle cars?", Retrieved April 24th 2008 [3]

External links