Auto heavyweight SG continues winning streak

The Liaoning Shuguang Automotive Corp Ltd (SG Automotive Group), a company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, is an important international automotive industry group and one of the nation-wide bases for whole car exports.

Equipped with a national-grade technical center, the group ranks 74 out of 500 national-level, large-scale comprehensive competitive enterprise groups in 2007, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

In September 2007, the Huanghai Bus, large and medium-sized, and Shuguang axle were designated as Chinese Brand Name Products.

Huanghai also became one of the Famous Chinese Trademarks.

The current president of SG along with 10 partners established the corporation with 70,000 yuan in 1984, and started off with the manufacture of axles for off-road vehicles.

The group's main operations are centered on the Huanghai Bus and the Shuguang Automotive Components Segment, which includes four series - the Huanghai Commercial Bus, the Huanghai Passenger Bus, Special Vehicle and the Shuguang Axle and Component Segment product series.

The Huanghai Bus covers 96 percent of the Chinese market, and is also an important export item.

The Special Vehicle (SPV) line includes buses, special purpose vehicles, pick-up trucks and SUVs.

Six production lines for light duty vehicles, including a chassis line, welding line, painting line, assembly line, e-coating line and vehicle performance testing line are in place for an annual capacity of 20,000 units.

SG SPV products have consistently outdone peer products with their outstanding performance, innovative styling and advanced equipment.

The Axle series covers eight categories with more than 100 products: SUV axle, van axle, light-duty truck axle, pick-up truck axle, sedan car suspension system, mini-axle, and heavy-duty axle and suspension series products.

The Suspension Product Series has state-of-the-art robotic welding and stamping lines.

SG's front suspension assembly and related components manufacturing is considered to be top-class in the domestic industry.

SG is fully capable of the design and manufacture of cold stamping tools, and gages for stamping and welding assembly.

The half shafts and sleeves manufacturing facility have product applications mainly for seven axle categories, which are off road, light-duty passenger cars, light-duty trucks, pick-ups, sedan suspension systems, mini-type and heavy-duty, covering more than 100 varieties overall.

The Gear Product Series has state-of-the-art NC gear cutting line, complete automatic heat treatment line, complete NC gear grinding machine, gear lapping machine and test center, all of which make for an integrated system of design, manufacturing, testing and terminal operation, supported by updated KIMOS and CAD design software.

Sales of Huanghai city bus, large and medium-sized, have been continuously ranking top in the sector for three consecutive years, and has also won the group the title of Best Bus Manufacture at the World Vehicle Fair Asian Expo for two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006.

The Huanghai special vehicles are widely used at airports and wharfs, filling both civil and military needs.

The sales of the Shuguang Axle have ranked first in the national light-axle market for 11 consecutive years.

The group's components segment has also seen large exports in the international OEM market, winning it the title of Best Global Supplier among the top 500 globally for two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006.

Advanced technology and imported equipment have helped SG to improve robotic welding, numerical control machining, computerized on-line testing, standardized measuring and assembly.

The product testing systems are advanced and reliable, having been certified under the ISO9001, QS9000 and TS16949 international standard systems.

In 2006, the group donated four units of the Huanghai Passenger Bus series products to the Hohxil Nature Reserves Administration, contributing to the protection of the Tibetan antelope.

The Huanghai Bus has also been selected as the exclusive bus by the Chinese Mountain-Climbing Association to participate in the 2008 Olympics Torch Relay along with the Chinese Mountaineering Team.

(China Daily 10/23/2007 page20)