Great Wall denies JV with Renault

By Shi Jierui

Wang Shihui, an overseas marketing vice general manager of Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd said the company was not setting up a joint venture in Venezuela with French automaker Renault.

Earlier overseas reports said Great Wall Motor was going to cooperate with Renault in Venezuela.

The reports said the factory, designed with an annual production capacity of 22,000 vehicles, would produce 15,000 units for Renault and the rest for Great Wall Motor per year.

It also said that Renault would invest $10 million and Great Wall Motor would invest $65 million if the plan is reached.

Wang clarified it is not Great Wall Motor, but a Venezuelan-based dealer of Great Wall Motor that has signed a contract with Renault. The dealer plans to build a knock down (KD) assemble facility with an annual production capacity of 22,000 to 25,000 units. It was expected both Great Wall and Renault-branded products would be assembled in the factory in the future.

But Great Wall Motor has no plans in the short term to set up a joint venture or cooperate with Renault , Wang stressed.

Great Wall Motor sold 125,000 vehicles in 2008. This year, it will release 13 new products and aims to sell 200,000 vehicles.