Shenyang, December 17 – General Motors China and its joint venture partners, SAIC and Shanghai GM, celebrated the opening of their second plant at Shanghai GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. Ltd. in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang.  During today's ceremony, the first Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan rolled off the production line. 

 

Construction of the 320,000-square-meter plant began in late 2005.  The facility has a designed annual production capacity of 150,000 units operating on two shifts, along with the capability of producing vehicles based on different platforms.  It is one of three global facilities that will initially produce the Cruze.

 

The Cruze is an all-new product from General Motors.  Although developed for markets around the world, it was engineered in China to meet the unique needs and preferences of local car buyers.  The Cruze features segment-leading design, quality, materials, fit and finish, and amenities.  It is scheduled to go into regular production and enter the market in the second quarter of 2009.

 

"The opening of this plant is part of GM's ongoing pledge to grow our operations in China," said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group.  "The Cruze will bolster our lineup of Chevrolet products.  Chevrolet is GM's fastest-growing brand here in China." 

 

According to Shanghai GM President Ding Lei, "Our Shenyang facility has successfully adopted the manufacturing, quality and management systems employed at Shanghai GM.  In conjunction with our facilities in Shanghai and Yantai, it has helped make Shanghai GM a leader among passenger car manufacturers in China since our first vehicle came off the production line in Shanghai 10 years ago.  Our second plant in Shenyang provides a solid foundation for the start of our next decade of growth."

 

The new facility integrates industry-leading technology and management systems as well as green production.  It has the most automated body shop in China, with 105 robots.  Advanced Layer Build technology is used for body construction, optimizing safety.  Being used in China for the first time are a turning slide board, which increases space utilization, and the KIT material feeding system, which enhances manufacturing flexibility and efficiency.  Human-machine interaction was a priority in the plant's design.  More comfortable wood floors have been installed in certain areas of the assembly line.  In addition, the new plant uses environmentally friendly water-based paint.

 

Shanghai GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. Ltd. is a joint venture formerly known as Jinbei General Motors.  Shanghai GM holds a 50 percent stake and oversees management.  GM China and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC) each hold 25 percent stakes.  Its original plant, which has an annual capacity of 50,000 units, manufactures the Buick GL8 and Buick FirstLand executive wagons for Shanghai GM. 

 

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years.  Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world.  With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 34 countries.  In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.