Jinbei GM Begins Regular Production Of Chevrolet Blazer, Opens First Retailer In Shenzhen
FOR RELEASE: May 8, 2001Jinbei GM Begins Regular Production Of Chevrolet Blazer, Opens First Retailer In Shenzhen
Shenyang, People's Republic of China -- Jinbei GM, the General Motors joint venture in northern China, this week began regular production of the Chevrolet Blazer sport-utility vehicle.
To meet the demands of Chinese customers and local regulations, the Blazer incorporates more than 300 design and engineering changes from the popular model of compact sport-utility vehicle on which it is based. On Tuesday, Jinbei GM opens its first retail facility in Shenzhen in South China. At the same time, 22 Jinbei GM retailers nationwide are preparing to sell the first batch of 4.3-liter DLX Blazers.
Later this year, three other models, the 2.4-liter Blazer, the 2.4-liter Blazer DLX, and the Chevrolet S-10 crew cab pickup will be available to Chinese consumers.
"This is another milestone in the short history of this joint venture," said Jinbei GM President Ian Miller. "We rolled off the first Blazer last December. We've been working hard in the last five months and we are now proud to present our customers with a truly world-class product."
The four models will be priced between RMB 185,000 (US$22,300) for the S-10 crew cab pickup, to RMB 385,000 (US$46,400) for the 4.3-liter Blazer DLX.
The Chevrolet Blazer and S-10 are equipped with antilock brakes, integrated side door beams, safety cage construction, and front- and rear-impact crush zones.
An independent front suspension ensures solid handling and a smooth ride on rough roads. The vehicles also feature air conditioning and power steering. All Jinbei GM products comply with China's most stringent emissions standards.
The Chevrolet Blazers by Jinbei GM are the first Chinese-made SUVs to come with a driver airbag as standard equipment.
Yang Bo, vice president of marketing and distribution for Jinbei GM, said the locally produced Blazers adds sport-utility vehicles to the growing number of products made in China for Chinese consumers.
"Traditionally Chinese consumers use this type of vehicle for off-road purposes. But our vehicles, such as Blazer DLX, provide not only capabilities for drivers to challenge rough roads, but also offer many comfort and convenience features," Yang said.
The top-of-the-line 4X4 Blazer DLX, the first Jinbei GM product available in the market, provides 4.3-liter, six-cylinder power and performance, power steering, leather interior, automatic transmission, power adjustable driver's seat, rearview mirror with reading lamp, overhead console with an exterior temperature thermometer, compass and more.
"We believe our SUVs will be popular both among the specialty-vehicle users such as police, forest and mining industries as well as city dwellers with high incomes who tend to be independent minded and trend setting," Yang said.
Jinbei GM is a US$ 230 million joint venture between General Motors and Brilliance Corporation. GM owns 50 percent of the venture, which has a capacity of 50,000 units.