Dongfeng Motor Co Ltd, China’s third-largest car and bus maker, has expressed interest to put up an assembly plant in the Philippines.

“Dongfeng is the top three bus and car maker in China and is owned by the Chinese government. It wants to introduce its buses and cars in the domestic market initially and put up an assembly plant here over the long term,” said Alfonso Uy, president of the Federation of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc, at the sidelines of a Chinese business convention at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, adding the Chinese company planned to assemble cheap cars and buses for the domestic market.

Dongfeng Motor Co Ltd has several business branches in Shanghai, Liuzhou (Guangxi), Yancheng (Guangxi), Nanchong (Sichuan), Zhengzhou (Henan), Urumchi (Xinjiang), Chaoyang (Liangning), Hangzhou (Zhejiang) and Kunming (Yunnan).

Uy revealed Dongfeng’s plan to set up an assembly plant in the Philippines was part of the company’s thrust to become a major player in the international market. The Chinese government has been encouraging companies to expand their businesses overseas instead of merely focusing on the domestic market.

Founded in 1969, Dongfeng Motor, formerly Second Automobile Works Co., is one of the three giant automakers in China. Its main businesses include passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, engine, auto parts and components and equipment.

Over the last 40 years, the company has set up a chain of research and development as well as manufacturing facilities in several cities in China, including Hubei, Shiyan, Xiangfan, Wuhan and Guangzhou.

By Nancy