JAC chairman says quality key to overseas push

The chairman of Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd has vowed to continue to raise the quality of its models as it targets more overseas buyers.

An Jin, a deputy to the National People's Congress, said Chinese vehicle companies can no longer compete on low prices and labor costs, and his company is making efforts to ensure quality standards are raised, while prices still remain affordable.

Jianghuai's products are sold in more than 100 countries and regions in the world.

Three models of its light truck HFC range were all awarded "export inspection-free" certification in December last year by the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the country's quality watchdog.

An said the company sells about 450,000 vehicles overseas annually, which account for 15 percent of its entire revenue.

JAC aims to achieve a sales target of 1.6 million units with revenue of 100 billion yuan ($16 billion) by the end of 2015, and An said he hopes exports will account for one-quarter of the entire revenue.

JAC has the largest market share in Brazil and Chile. The company exported 500 light trucks to Brazil in October, marking China's single largest vehicle contract to the South American nation.

The company is also the second-largest commercial vehicle brand in Egypt, with more than 3,000 vehicles on its roads.

JAC first entered Africa when it delivered a batch of light-duty trucks to Algeria in 2001.

We recommend:
Japanese brands search for rebound	Inflation rebounds to 10-month high in Feb.	Halt urged to rising luxury goods prices
China well on way to being largest oil importer	Energy trade surplus for US	China seeks economic transformation