Guangxi strives to be automobile export base for ASEAN

The annual export volume of automobiles made in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to ASEAN countries exceeded 80,000 in 2020 and Guangxi has become one of the five major automobile manufacturing bases in China after more than 30 years' growth.

It is estimated that Guangxi's automobile production output in 2020 reached 1.75 million units, accounting for 7 percent of China's total and ranking fifth in the country. Guangxi's annual production outputs of both mini cars and crossover passenger cars were highest nationwide. 

Mo Hua, head of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said that the region has now formed a relatively complete industrial layout featuring elements such as trucks, buses, passenger cars, automotive internal combustion engines and auto parts, cultivating a batch of automobile brands with domestic influence such as Wuling and Baojun.

The region has been devoting great efforts to speeding up the construction of a manufacturing and export base in South China aimed at ASEAN. Mo noted that the region has released a series of measures to help local automobile companies expand their export volumes. 

Dongfeng Motor Group Co Ltd has completed the establishment of its business network covering marketing, service and auto parts in ASEAN countries and has taken the lead in offering guarantees of refunds, replacements, and repairs. It now has become the second largest brand in ASEAN in terms of its commercial vehicle market sales volume and market share.

SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a leading automobile company in Guangxi, has taken initiatives such as pushing forward the development of electric, networked, intelligent and shared technologies, reflecting the constantly changing market environment.

"We always adhere to the concept that users' needs are our guide when carrying out technical innovation, in order to promote the transformation and upgrading of our products," said Zhou Xing, the brand and marketing director from SGMW.

At present, the company has invested $700 million in Indonesia to build a manufacturing base with an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles. The company in Indonesia started exporting finished automobiles to Thailand in 2019.

Minister of Industry for Indonesia Airlangga Hartart noted that SGMW's company in Indonesia has increased the competitiveness of Indonesian automobile industry. He also expressed the hope that Indonesia and SGMW could enhance cooperation in areas spanning electric vehicles and 5G autonomous driving.