Behr to enhance presence in China
By Yu Qiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-28 11:16

Behr GmbH & Co KG, the world's major maker of automotive air conditioning and engine cooling equipment, says it expects to triple its annual sales in China by 2010.

The Germany-based company hopes to increase annual sales in China to US$250 million by 2010, up from US$70 million estimated this year, it said in a statement.

"Behr's goal is to generate approximately 10 per cent of its global sales in Asia Pacific by the end of 2010 and China is already a key contributor."

The company plans to move its Asia-Pacific headquarters to Shanghai from Hong Kong later this year, "reflecting the importance we place on China in the region," Behr said.

Behr formed three joint ventures in China over the past eight months with an investment of US$58 million.

The latest venture, in which both Behr and Dongfeng Motor Corp - one of China's biggest automakers - each control a 50 per cent stake, started production of engine cooling systems for trucks and cars this month in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province.

Behr and another Chinese big name Shanghai Automotive Co Ltd run a 50-50 joint venture in Shanghai.

The two companies, Japan's Sanden Corp and Shanghai Longhua Industrial Co, also have a joint venture in Shanghai, producing auto refrigerant compressors.

The company said that it aimed to be the leading auto air conditioning and engine cooling equipment manufacturer in China within the next five years.

China remains the world's fastest-growing car market, although growth of vehicle sales in the nation is slowing down.

Vehicle demand in China is forecast to reach 5.3 million units this year.

Last year, demand surged by more than 30 per cent to 4.43 million units.

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