Shaanxi Auto Group and Eberspaecher found JV

Shaanxi Wanfang Autoparts Co, a subsidiary of Shaanxi Automobile Group Co, headquartered in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and the German automotive supplier Eberspaecher signed a joint venture contract on Dec 3, 2013, according to a company press release.

Both parties will establish a joint venture in order to produce commercial after treatment systems. The aim of the joint venture is to provide modern exhaust technology for the Chinese market.

Shaanxi Wanfang is the major shareholder with 51 percent of Eberspaecher Exhaust Technology Xi'an Co and Eberspaecher holds 49 percent. The Eberspaecher Group is already the market and technology leader for commercial vehicle exhaust technology in Europe and the USA, said the company. Shaanxi Auto is one of the largest commercial vehicle makers in China.

The new company will supply to Shaanxi Auto with exhaust after treatment systems from China State IV emission standards upwards. "The joint venture provides Eberspaecher with excellent opportunities to become further established in the growing Chinese market", emphasizes Thomas Waldhier, COO exhaust technology.

"The signing of the contract is a milestone for us in the largest market for commercial vehicle exhaust systems worldwide", also stresses Richard Hu, vice president of business unit Asia, of Eberspaecher Exhaust Technology. "The founding of the joint venture is a new strategic direction, which will also strengthen our worldwide positioning in the commercial vehicle sector further."

During the implementation of the current China State IV emission standards as well as with future exhaust standards, both parties will serve the Chinese market via the extensive technological expertise of Eberspaecher as the exhaust specialist with worldwide activities. The head office of the joint venture is a newly-created location of Shaanxi Auto Wanfang in Xi'an. Production is to start up in 2014, and in 2015 reach an initial volume of about 100,000 exhaust systems for diesel and CNG engines per year. In addition to production, the planned scope of services also includes sales, after sales service and system integration.