08.07.2004 Turin, Bob Rice has been appointed China Country Manager for Fiat Auto, directly reporting to the President of Fiat/Lancia Business Unit, Gianni Coda. Rice takes over the position from Flavio Ciappa, who will assume other responsibilities within Fiat Auto in Italy.

Fiat Auto's presence in the People's Republic of China is centered on Nanjing Fiat, a 50-50 joint venture between Fiat Auto and Yuejin Motor Group.

Rice, born in the United States on March 6, 1950, has an MBA in finance from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Rice has spent over 20 years in Asia, where he has accumulated experience in various fields of the metal and automotive industries including sales and marketing, strategy development and project implementation, and alliance/partnership management.

From 1993 to 2003, he held numerous positions with General Motors in China and in Japan including Vice President and Chief Representative of GM China in Beijing, Director of business operations of GM Japan, Director of GM/Fuji Heavy Industries Alliance Office and General Director of GM/Isuzu Alliance Office in Tokyo.

From 1983 to 1986, Rice was based in Shanghai as Manager for China Operations at Crocker Pacific Trade Co.

Rice has a BA in Japanese language and literature from the University of Washington and a postgraduate training in Chinese language studies from Stanford Inter-University in Taipei, Taiwan.