www.chinabuses.org: Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co. Ltd. (BFDA) will begin building a new engine plant next to its headquarters in Beijing’s Huairou district by the first half of 2013 with an investment more than ¥ 1 billion (€135 million), according to a company press release on July 19.

Once the new plant is finished in 2014, it will produce type OM 457 engines for the joint venture’s trucks that are produced under the Auman brand. The diesel engine is currently being used in Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in Europe and Latin America, and is already undergoing successful test runs in trucks made by the joint venture. Up to 40 percent of the engine components will be produced in China when the new plant begins engine manufacturing operations, the localization rate is scheduled to be raised to more than 65 percent in the medium and long terms.

 
BFDA is already working hard to select suppliers. “This process has made very satisfactory progress. We have already found renowned suppliers for the key components. These suppliers were selected after extensive tests which showed that they meet our high standards with regard to quality and business ethics,” reports Stefan Albrecht, Executive Vice President of BFDA.

The new engine plant will cover an area of around 30,000 square meters. Once ramped up, it will add more than 500 new employees to the workforce. Production capacity at the plant will be designed for up to 45,000 engines per year. As soon as the State IV emissions standards China (which corresponds to Euro IV) is introduced as planned next year, customers will be able to order the Auman truck with either a conventional engine or the OM 457. Until the new plant is completed, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Mannheim will deliver the engines completely built up to China.

Source : www.chinabuses.org

Editor : Lily

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Tags: Foton Daimler commercial vehicles