Beijing Foton Daimler joint venture officially begins operation

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 11) - The new joint venture between Chinese truck maker Beiqi Foton and German manufacturer Daimler AG has officially begun operation, the China Business Times reported today. Its first jointly manufactured vehicles, trucks from the Auman series, carry the joint venture's new logo.

The Beijing Foton Daimler joint venture, which is equally owned by Foton and Daimler, will help Foton's models reach Russia, South Asia, Latin America and other markets. Beijing will be home to the JV's central base, with its development policies, research and development, production, supply chain management and sales management all conducted in the city. Regional branches will be responsible for production and sales in the JV's various markets.

In addition to the Auman series of trucks (pictured), the JV will also manufacture the 490 hp Mercedes-Benz OM457 heavy engine. There is speculation that JV partnership will extend beyond heavy trucks to cover all of Foton's other model types. The JV will begin building a new engine production site next year.