BAIC marks major milestone as millionth vehicle rolls out
( China Daily )
About five years after producing its first model in 2011, BAIC, the Beijing-based automaker, is in the period of reinventing itself with the rollout of its one-millionth vehicle from the production line this month.
The EH400, an electric car with a driving range of 400 kilometers, is the one-millionth vehicle off the production line. It is expected to be available for sale next year, the State-owned company said.
From January to July this year, BAIC sold a total of 232,000 vehicles of its self-developed brands, up by 42.7 percent, a much higher growth rate than the industrial average of 11 percent.
"From zero to 1 million, it took us five years, a production run much shorter than other automakers," said Xu Heyi, chairman of BAIC Motor, one of the country's top 10 carmakers in terms of sales.
He attributes the "fast speed" to the company's efforts innovating and renovating its three manufacturing bases in Beijing, Hunan and Guangdong provinces.
"Those production bases were designed for gasoline-powered vehicles, but now electric cars can be produced there," Xu said.
The company will invest more in its three major technology R&D centers globally, which focus on smart, electrical, low-carbon and lightweight vehicles, he said without elaborating on the size of investment.
BAIC launched five new SUV models (a sport utility vehicle, designed to carry more than five passengers) for the first half and it is expected to introduce at least 20 new models in the next five years, to replace its current lineup completely.
It is also embracing what is being called "mobility services", since manufacturing for manufacturing's sake is apparently not enough.
Last year, the Beijing-based manufacturer signed a strategic cooperation agreement with domestic internet firm LeTV to apply the latter's technology to its cars.
LeTV already finished developing an auto user interface system, which is able to connect cars, smartphones and TVs.
Xu said he hopes this partnership can help BAIC climb the value chain and embrace the internet era.
The reason BAIC chose LeTV is that company's relatively complete chain from TV to contents and applications, Xu added.
Earlier this year, LeTV introduced the first user interface system for cars - the EUI system. The system links all digital devices including the car, cell phone and television.
This is not the first time that BAIC and LeTV joined hands. Last year, the two parties jointly invested in US electric car design company Atieva, a company that once made designs for Tesla.
Atieva has developed multiple new-energy vehicles, including star models such as the Tesla Roadster and Chevrolet Volt and Audi R8. It will also provide technological support for BAIC and LeTV. lvchang@chinadaily.com.cn
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