Dongfeng Yulon to put in place R&D center

Shanghai November 29 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Motor and Taiwan-based Yulon Motor will launch their joint venture in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in mid-December this year, saying the JV will also have an independent R&D center in the future with focus on automotive electronics, IT technology and automation, the Beijing Times reported Monday.

Upon completion of the first phase, the 50-50 joint venture with a registered capital of $232 million will have an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles and of 200,000 engines, and will put in place a R&D center.

Currently, construction of the engine shop along with the other five shops has basically been completed. The JV is now carrying out a commissioning test of all its equipments and expected to put into operation the R&D center in 2011.

Yulon plans to produce its own-brand Luxgen passenger vehicles and new energy vehicles at the JV's plant in eastern China's Zhejiang Province and is scheduled to roll out the first model in the middle of next year.

The Taiwan automaker also runs a joint venture with Daimler and Fujian Motor Industry Group Co, which makes Mercedes vans in southeastern Fujian Province.