CHINA: GM and FAW ‘discuss LCV partnership’

GM is reportedly holding discussions with FAW to form a partnership in the area of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) – the details of the partnership unclear at this stage.
 
Henry Wong, a GM China spokesman, told Reuters on Thursday the two parties had registered a name with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, but declined to specify the nature of the partnership.

“Joint venture is far from complete, but the registration of the name is just one of the processes,” Wong said when asked whether the partnership will lead to a full-fledged joint venture.

“We still have a lot of work to do before the joint venture becomes a reality.”

GM already makes light commercial vehicles in China in a three-way tie-up with SAIC Motor and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile.
 
SAIC-GM-Wuling sold 75,168 vehicles in January – 20% ahead of last year – including about 47,000 Sunshine minivans, GM said in a statement.

The venture, in which GM holds a 34% stake, made up 59.22% of GM’s overall sales in China in 2008, Reuters said.

GM also operates a car manufacturing venture in Shanghai with SAIC.