Shanghai January 19 (Gasgoo.com) Brilliance Auto Group plans to complete construction of its new factory, said company CEO Qi Yumin. Brilliance has invested 2.56 billion yuan ($389.4m) in the 38,000 square meter complex, which will be responsible for production of the company's Zhonghua series of cars. The company's annual capacity will reach 150,000 vehicles once it starts production, allowing Brilliance to become one of the country's largest own brand producers. The factory will also produce the company's upcoming SUV, planned to hit the market in October of this year.
In an interview with reporters, Mr. Qi said that for the company to reach its Twelfth Five-Year Guideline (2011-2015) goals of total annual sales of 1.5 million vehicles, it needs to expand its production capability. As a result, Brilliance had begun investment of 12 billion yuan ($1.83) in expanding production of not only its own vehicles, but also BMW vehicles produced under its joint foreign venture. Among its projects, the new factory is yet another step taken by the company to further progress towards its mid- and long-term goals.
The factory will be tasked with technology design and production of the company's Hanjie, Xuzhuang, Zongzhuang and Chongya models, as well as establishing relationships with international equipment suppliers. In order to compete on an international level, the factory has been fitted with world-renown KUKA industrial robots, DURR measuring equipment and other cutting-edge technology.
Mr. Qi added that the new factory's production of the upcoming A3 and A4 models will aid in further developing the A-series platform, allowing the A and M platforms to reach a new level. Brilliance's original factory, on the other hand, will be tasked with developing the company's C-series of automobiles.
