Gasgoo.com (Shanghai April 23) - The 15th Shanghai International Automobile Exhibition opened its doors to the press this Saturday, the very same day that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the county of Lushan in Sichuan. In response, Auto Shanghai's operating committee announced that it will donate one million yuan ($160,507) to the relief effort. Automobile manufacturers attending the show also pledged their donations. According to a report appearing in the Beijing Times today, their total contributions have already exceeded 60 million yuan ($9.63m), with new donations still coming in.
On the opening day of Auto Shanghai, Guangqi Toyota cancelled its dance performance, stating that it will instead donate three million yuan ($481,521) in automobiles and logistics aid to the relief effort. Toyota China and FAW Toyota announced that they will contribute four million yuan ($642,028) and three million yuan ($481,521), respectively. Toyota and its subsidiary joint ventures' donations combined have totaled 10 million yuan ($1.61m) so far.
Mercedes-Benz announced that it will donate 20 million yuan ($3.21m) to the effort, while Guangqi Honda has decided to offer three million yuan ($481,521) in both funds and logistics support. Domestic manufacturer Geely will donate 20 million yuan ($3.21m) in aid as well as supply organizations with 26 Geely and Volvo automobiles for emergency use. Changan and Dongfeng have announced donations of six million yuan ($963,042) and two million yuan ($321,014), respectively.
Donation pledges continued into the following day, with GAC's own brand Trumpchi stating that it will contribute three million yuan ($481,521) in fund and logistics support, while BMW announced that it will contribute two million yuan ($321,014) via its Chinese Warm-Heart Fund. Domestic bus maker Yutong will also donate two million yuan ($321,014).
