Invited by the Michigan government and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) organized Chinese auto-related enterprises to US to investigate local investment environment and carry out industrial connection on Oct. 26th to Nov. 3rd, so as to meet the needs of international communication and cooperation, deepen understanding on mature auto market and further promote the Sino-US cooperation on auto industry.
Led by the Deputy Secretary General of CAAM Mr. Shi Jianhua, there were altogether 16 delegates from major auto enterprises as well as CAAM branches and local associations attending this activity.
The delegation visited Detroit, Ann Arbor, New York and Las Vegas to carry out a series of communication and investigation.
On the morning of Oct. 26th, the delegation made communication with leaders from MEDC and Michigan automotive office. They introduced the overall situation of Michigan in detail, including the status of automotive industry, the development of Chinese enterprises in Michigan, local trade and investment environment, the trend of taxation and regulations, the operation of B2B platform, etc. Our delegates were deeply impressed by such introduction, especially the information concerning B2B platform.
Exchange Meeting
On behalf of Chinese delegation, Mr. Shi Jianhua delivered a speech entitled on Future Development of China Automotive Industry and Sino-US Cooperation, of which the industrial economic operation for the first three quarters and the major ideas of the 13th Five-Year Plan for automotive industry were introduced. Moreover, he proposed five cooperative suggestions for Sino-US automotive industries.
Deputy Secretary General Mr. Shi Jianhua delivered a speech
The Michigan government attached great importance to the visit of Chinese delegation. On that afternoon, the Governor of Michigan Mr. Rick Snyder met with the delegation in his office in Detroit. Mr. Snyder himself cherished very much the profound friendship established between CAAM. In the welcome remarks, he emphasized that the Michigan had a good foundation with plentiful talents and outstanding R&D capacity and always engaged in the development of automotive industry. Hence, he welcomed Chinese auto enterprises to this region to make business, trade and investment.
Meeting with the Governor of Michigan
Group Photo in front of Governor’s Office
Later, the delegation visited Henry Ford Museum to feel the evolution of automobiles.
On the morning of Oct. 27th, the delegation went to Ann Arbor to visit the newly-founded battery laboratory in University of Michigan. Set up last year, the battery lab was jointly-invested by the University of Michigan, MEDC and Ford Motor Company, with a total expenditure of approximately 10 million US dollars over the first five years. As an open user facility designed to allow researchers from academia and industry to work with experts in a state-of-art research environment, the lab had many advanced equipments to help finish various operations, like mixing, coating, calendaring, cell assembly, testing, characterization, etc.
Group Photo in University of Michigan
Visiting Battery Lab
That afternoon, the delegation visited A123 Systems and communicated with the CEO Mr. Jason Forcier. A123 Systems develops and manufactures advanced lithium batteries and energy storage systems that deliver high power, maximize usable energy, and provide long life, all with excellent safety performance. Acquired by Wanxiang Group, the company, after restructuring, further enhanced the investment in research and development, and successfully turned loss into gains last year. The high-voltage batteries aimed at Chinese auto market, of which 95% of the type exported to China. Besides, the company also supply battery products to those world famous OEMs, like Daimler.
Group Photo in front of A123 Systems
On Oct. 28th, the delegation visited GM Orion Plant to see the pressing, welding and assembly workshops.
Visiting GM Plant
On Oct. 30th, the delegation arrived in New York and visited the headquarters of Evercore ISI. At there, the delegation exchanged views with senior analysts from Evercore ISI and well-known investors of Wall Street.
Visiting the Headquarters of Evercore ISI
The CEO of Evercore ISI UK Mr. Arndt Ellinghorst firstly introduced the overall situation of the company; then analyzed the global trends of the automotive industry. His colleague Mr. Richard D. Rippe shared with us the economic outlook of US and the world. In addition, Mr. Shi Jianhua answered questions raised by Wall Street investors.
Communication with Evercore ISI and Wall Street investors
Besides, CAAM and Evercore ISI UK reached agreement on information exchange and signed MOU on this occasion.
Mr. Shi Jianhua and Mr. Arndt exchanged MOU
On that afternoon, the delegation visited the headquarters of Goldman Sachs and communicated with Mr. Patrick Archambault and his team on issues of market and investment.
Communication with Goldman Sachs
On Nov. 3rd, the delegation arrived in Las Vegas to visit AAPEX 2015 to better understand US parts market, especially the after-sale market.
Through this investigation, the delegates widened their horizon and acquired the first-hand information concerning policies and regulations to help them better understand the status and trends of US automotive industry. They agreed that the investigation had strong guidance for their investment in US; also benefited to learn experiences on overseas market exploitation. Hence, the delegates wished CAAM to continue to organize similar visits and investigations in future.
