NY Times article "G.M. Sees China, and the Chinese, in a Chevrolet" by Keith Bradsher:
G.M. is hoping to change that for future generations of Chinese. It is counting on Mr. Yang, 27, and his 2,300 fellow assembly line workers here to help produce 200,000 cars this year as part of a giant bet to turn the Chevrolet brand into a household name in China.
As the world’s top auto executives gather in Detroit for the annual auto show, one of the biggest questions is how General Motors will fare this year when Toyota may pass it to become the world’s largest automaker. The answer will depend to a considerable extent on how G.M. performs in China, its second-largest market after the United States.
The modern plant here is expected to double production this year. G.M. is also expanding at a second factory in southeastern China that makes tiny Chevrolet Spark sedans. And Chevrolet dealerships, with gleaming windows and cushy chairs, 20-foot ceilings and advanced repair bays, are popping up along major avenues across China.
To compensate for its troubles at home, G.M. is in a big hurry here. But building a brand that will capture car buyers in a vast developing country, going from Middle America to Middle China, is a lot harder than building one at home.
For one, G.M. in China isn’t exactly G.M. Limited by Beijing to no more than 50 percent ownership of any auto assembly operation, it relies on two rival joint ventures to manufacture Chevrolets in China.
Hello,
This post was published in 2007. But still in 2015 the GM has no place in China.
Posted by: Alan | August 25, 2015 at 11:53 PM