Gasgoo Munich- Wuhu Bethel Automotive Safety Systems Co., Ltd. (603596) has announced the establishment of a wholly-owned German subsidiary—WBTL Germany GmbH—as it moves to refine its global footprint.
According to the filing, the investment totals $1 million, equivalent to approximately 6.92 million yuan, with funding drawn entirely from internal capital. Bethel holds 100% equity in the new entity. Registered in Germany, the subsidiary will focus on sales, R&D, and technical consulting for automotive safety system components. It has already completed overseas investment filings and local registration procedures.
Image Source: Screenshot from Bethel announcement
The move aligns with Bethel's long-term growth strategy. By leveraging Europe's automotive cluster advantages, the company aims to connect directly with local mainstream automakers and supply chains, accelerating its international expansion while boosting global brand influence and competitiveness.
As a leading domestic supplier of braking and safety systems, Bethel already operates R&D and manufacturing bases in North America. The new German entity will further plug gaps in front-end service and technical responsiveness across the European market.
The filing also emphasized that the investment is moderate in scale and will not have a material adverse impact on the company's current financial position or operating results. The move serves the interests of all shareholders and does not harm the rights of minority investors.
As global competition in the auto industry intensifies, the push for domestic parts suppliers to go global has accelerated. Bethel's move into Germany is not only a strategic deepening of its presence in Europe but also a critical platform for integrating core technologies—such as brake-by-wire and smart chassis systems—into the global supply chain.
