GKN extends China joint venture for 50 years

GKN Driveline has extended its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) for another 50 years at a recent ceremony in London.

The first automotive industry component-manufacturing joint venture in China, Shanghai GKN Drive Shaft Company (SDS) was formed in 1988.

Other Chinese partners in Shanghai GKN include SDIC Machinery & Light Industries Company and Bank of Communications Company.

Speaking in London, GKN Automotive's Chief Executive Nigel Stein noted that GKN was the first major European automotive supplier to invest in China and today is the country's leading producer of driveline components.

"Shanghai GKN serves as an industry model for successful joint-venture operations in China and we anticipate continued growth for years to come," Stein said. "Over the last five years, Shanghai GKN has invested more than RMB 1 billion (about EUR100 million) to expand production in China, including major investments for new manufacturing facilities in Wuhan and Chongqing."

Stein added that Shanghai GKN's new 44,000-square-meter plant in Wuhan is on schedule to begin production later this year.

Shanghai GKN currently has five production facilities in China. In addition to its Wuhan and Chongqing plants, it has manufacturing operations in Kangqiao, Shenjiang and Zhoupu. The company annually produces more than 600,000 propshafts, 5 million sideshafts and 1.5 million universal joints.

Shanghai GKN's major Chinese automotive partner, SAIC, is one of China's top three automotive companies with sales in 2008 of more than one million passenger cars and 500,000 commercial vehicles.

About GKN Driveline

The first major European automotive supplier to invest in China, GKN is the country's leading producer of driveline components. GKN Driveline currently has automotive manufacturing operations in Kangqiao, Zhoupu and Shenjiang in Pudong, Shanghai, as well as plants in Chongqing, and Wuhan.

GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline components and systems. As a global company serving the world's leading vehicle manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline components -- for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving dynamics.

GKN Driveline is a leading global producer of sideshafts, propshafts, mechanically and electronically controlled torque management systems and associated geared components.  www.gkndriveline.com