China will speed up production of special-purpose automobiles
to meet mounting demand during the country's 10th Five-Year
Plan (2001-05).
Domestic automakers
plan to produce 340,000 special-purpose automobiles annually
during that time, said sources with the State Administration
of Machine-building Industry.
They also aim to
export US$150 million worth of these vehicles during that
period, sources said.
The sector will focus on the development of high-tech products,
including special-purpose automobiles for high-grade highway
transportation and maintenance, bridge checking, oilfields
and airports, to satisfy domestic demand and engage in world
competition.
Investments in
the sector's technical upgrading will mainly come from State
loans. Non-State investments are also welcome in the sector.
After China enters
the World Trade Organization, domestic manufacturers will
have more opportunities to gain more foreign investments and
advanced know-how through co-operation with foreign companies.
Most of the domestic
special-purpose automobile enterprises are joint ventures.
Beijing Special
Automobile Co Ltd, a joint venture between six Chinese and
Japanese companies, will expand its annual production capacity
to 2,500 special-purpose automobiles.
The company uses
advanced technology from Japan's Isuzu to produce all kinds
of vans.
The company, established
five years ago, also adopted Japanese advanced enterprise
management experience. It was awarded the International Standard
Organization 9002 certificate recently by the China Automobile
Quality Certification Center.
The government
will accelerate the sector's restructuring in the form of
association, merger, reorganization or cooperation with private
manufacturers, sources said.
The promising private
manufactures are expected to enjoy the government's policy
support.
(China Daily 04/13/2000)
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