Zhongtong Bus- Role Model for the Industry
24 April 2013
The fifth China auto blue book forum of 2013, an important annual meeting of China’s auto industry, was held recently in Beijing, themed “role model”. Judged by his contribution to the industry, 100 people were selected as “role model” for China’s auto industry over the past 60 years. Zhang Daoguang, president of Zhongtong Bus, was one of them. The comment from the committee was: he reformed the former farm tool repair shop, and turned it into the most profitable bus maker with the second most output in the country, and the company became as famous as Yangzhou Yaxing. Rumor had it that Zhang is a capitalist, and he abandoned the working class, and that he denied rules from the Party. But, despite all the rumors, he stick to his own principle, positively looking for measures to break all barriers. In 1994, Zhongtong became the first listed bus maker in China, and Zhang was the president of the company.
The year 2013 marked the 60th anniversary of China’s auto industry. It is a year of historical importance, when industry practitioners need to be more innovative. But, how shall we innovate? Zhongtong set examples for the industry.
In the 1990s, Zhongtong was just a regional-repair-shop turned bus maker set up by a government fund of ￥30000. After the thorough reforms of Zhang Daoguang, the factory finally made it to be the most profitable bus maker in the country.
Time goes by, so does management of the company. Despite the change in staff, the power of “role model” never changed. Zhongtong achieved growth under every management. Also, new ideas and new strengths are poured into the company constantly, driving Zhongtong for further development.
In 2000, Zhongtong was officially listed, and since then, rapid growth are witnessed in the company. Along with it is the innovation and R&D capability of the company. Also, Zhongtong is going global, winning orders in overseas markets from time to time. So far, products are sold to more than 70 countries. The first electric bus with complete independent intellectual property rights rolled off in 2006. The first national level laboratory, the first national level technology center and post-doctoral station was set yp in the company in succession. All those marked the development Zhongtong made in R&D. In 2008, energy saving buses served the Beijing Olympic games; in 2009, 400 buses of Zhongtong served the National Games, and received high praises. After the economic crisis in 2010, Zhongtong is poised for future growth in 2011. The next year, the new workshop was put into use. Also, Zhongtong established itself in the top 4 of the industry, breaking the old pattern that lasted for many years. Driven by innovation in technology, marketing, managing, as well as the harmonious company culture, Zhongtong gained grounds in the competition-filled industry.
Looking back at the history and achievements of Zhongtong, you can feel a strength has been passed on through the years, which is the strength of “role model”. Meanings of “role model” differ in different time period, but the principle has always been “innovation”. Depending on this great strength, Zhongtong is destined to make more breakthroughs in the future.
Source : www.chinabuses.org
Editor : dennis
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