Hella Bhap Electronics has started production in Zhenjiang.
The joint venture was founded in 2018 by Hella and Bhap, one of the largest automotive suppliers in China.
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On a production area of 7,000 square metres, series production of control units for sunroofs was initially started at the plant at the end of last year.
Production of components for lighting electronics will follow in a few months. Subsequently, the production portfolio is to be gradually expanded to include additional products from the areas of energy management and driver assistance.
Initially, customers of Hella Bhap Electronics will be mainly companies of the BAIC Group. Subsequently, the customer base will be expanded to the Chinese and global market. The joint venture currently has around 65 employees; the number will be increased in the course of further expansion stages.
“Bhap will continue to deepen its cooperation with Hella and bring the resulting synergies into the joint electronics joint venture,” said Bhap EVP, Xu Xiaojiang.
Jörg Brandscheid, responsible for Hella’s electronics business in China, added: “The strength of the joint venture is not least rooted in the combination of technological expertise and direct market access.
Hella has been present in China for almost three decades. The company is currently represented there with 16 companies – including five joint ventures – and employs more than 5,500 people.
In fiscal year 2018/2019, Hella generated sales of more than EUR800m (US$893m) in China.
