Magneti
Marelli and Changchun Fudi Equipment Technology
Development Co. (FUDI), a Chinese manufacturer of
automotive components and systems, have signed an
agreement to set up a joint venture aimed at the
production of automobile components, specifically
powertrain systems.
According to the
agreements, Magneti Marelli will own 51% of the capital
of the new company called Changchun Magneti Marelli
Powertrain Components Co. Ltd., while the Chinese
partner will hold the remaining 49%. An initial
investment of € 14 million will be made.
The industrial
facilities of the new JV will be located in Changchun,
in north-eastern China, one of the strategic areas for
the automotive sector in that country, where leading
Chinese companies in the sector also have their plants.
In particular, the JV will settle in the economic and
technological development area of Chaoyang, where Fudi
can count on a longstanding industrial presence. The JV
will specifically deal with the production of intake
manifolds, throttle bodies, fuel rails and air/fuel
modules for automotive applications, aimed primarily at
Chinese carmakers operating in the area, such as, for
example, FAW.
Production is expected
to start at the end of the year, and once the JV is
operating at full speed it will reach a maximum
production capacity of approximately 1.7 million intake
manifolds and 1.2 million throttle bodies a year. Built
over a surface area of 4,000 square meters, the plant
will employ a workforce of about 300 employees.
“As a sign of the
continuity of our commitment in China – stated Eugenio
Razelli, CEO of Magneti Marelli – this JV further
expands our presence in the territory, which now also
includes a production facility in the north-eastern
region of the country, a strategic area due to the
presence of one of the largest Chinese carmakers”.
Magneti Marelli has
been operating in China since 1996 with production
plants and research centres in the areas of Shanghai
(headquarters and Powertrain, Exhaust Systems and
Lighting, in addition to the JV in Jiading with SAGW
dedicated to the production of hydraulic components for
the Freechoice robotised transmission, Wuhu (Lighting
and Powertrain), Guangzhou (Electronic Systems) and
Hangzhou (shock absorbers in JV with Wanxiang Qianchao
Company).