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ZF Friedrichshafen committed to China

German auto supplier ZF Friedrichshafen sees China as an important market and will constantly expand its business in the country and robustly push forward localization, according to its CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider. Its sales in the Asia-Pacific region reached 7.78 billion euros ($9.61 billion) last year, of which over 85 percent came from China. ZF's global sales revenue hit a record of 36.4 billion euros last year, according to its annual report released on Thursday. Since entering China in 1981, ZF has made steady development in China, setting up two regional headquarters, 32 manufacturing enterprises, 3 aftersales service and trade companies, as well as 239 aftersales service networks in China.

16th RV, camping exhibition held in Beijing

Asia's largest recreational vehicle show was held in Beijing from March 22 to 25, a sign of the booming market in China. The 16th China (Beijing) International RV and Camping Exhibition attracted more than 100 recreational vehicle producers and dealers, as well as more than 400 recreational vehicle and camping brands. The event, which drew over 90,000 visitors, shows the rising enthusiasm for recreational vehicles. Statistics show that 20,800 such vehicles were sold last year in China, up 11.8 percent year-on-year. According to insiders' estimates, China's recreational market will see sales revenue of 100 billion yuan ($15.86 billion) by 2020.

ACEA voices concern over Brexit effects

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association said Britain's automotive sector is at a serious risk of disruption from Britain's exit from the European Union. The association "is calling on the negotiators to pay urgent attention to sector-specific issues in order to avert potentially disastrous implications on the entire automotive supply chain", ACEA, which represents Europe's 15 major auto and truck makers, said in a statement last week. Britain is home to over 30 facilities that produce both engines and vehicles, as well as other suppliers that are deeply integrated into the European supply chain. In total, the sector employs some 814,000 people in Britain, ACEA said.

Nissan to sell 1 million e-cars annually by 2022

Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor is aiming to sell 1 million electrified vehicles - either pure electric models or those with e-POWER powertrains - annually by fiscal year 2022. As part of its electrification strategy, Nissan will launch a product offensive in China led by a new C-segment electric vehicle this year, derived from Nissan LEAF technology. The product offensive will also include an affordable electric vehicle in China launched via the Renault-Nissan Alliance joint venture eGT New Energy Automotive. This new affordable electric vehicle will be jointly developed by the Alliance and Dongfeng Motor on an A-segment SUV platform. Two further electric vehicle derivatives are also being prepared for the Venucia brand.

Mercedes-Benz offers exclusive limousines

The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan was picked up as the exclusive guest limousine for the 2018 China Development Forum held from March 24 to 26 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. It was the second time that Mercedes-Benz offered exclusive guest limousines for the event. Organized by the Development Research Center of the State Council, the forum this year has "China in the New Era" as its theme and attracts senior officials, scholars and business delegates who share their views about topics including high-quality development, fiscal and tax systems reform, supply-side reform and financial policies, opening-up, innovation and future development.

Motoring - Agencies

(China Daily 03/26/2018 page19)