SAIC Motor, China's largest auto maker, is considering injecting its commercial vehicle assets into Shanghai Diesel Engine, which it is in the process of taking over. But, an SAIC spokeswoman said there had been no discussions of such a plan at the company.

The source said, however, that senior officials had begun considering transferring to Shanghai Diesel all of SAIC's major commercial vehicle production assets, which also include Yuejin brand trucks and Shanghai Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing Co, which makes light buses and heavy-duty trucks. It has no timetable or detailed financial plans had been worked out, given that the acquisition of Shanghai Diesel had not yet been completed, and any asset transfer would require government approval.

The SAIC group signed a letter of intent in September 2007 to buy a controlling stake in Shanghai Diesel, an engine maker.