BAIC Group: Company Overview

Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC) is a prominent state-owned automobile manufacturer based in Shunyi, Beijing. Established in 1958, it ranks as the sixth-largest automobile manufacturer in China, boasting 1.723 million sales in 2021.

Company Profile: BAIC Group manufactures a diverse range of vehicles under its branding, such as Arcfox, Beijing, Changhe, Foton Motor, and Ruili Doda, as well as through foreign-branded joint ventures like Beijing-Benz and Beijing-Hyundai. The company also produces electric vehicles under these brandings, including the dedicated EV brand Arcfox. Key subsidiaries include BAIC Motor, military vehicle and light truck maker BAW, and truck, bus, and agricultural equipment maker Foton Motor.

History and Development: Founded as Beijing Automobile Works (BAW) in 1958, BAIC initially found success with the Dongfanghong BJ760, based on the Soviet GAZ-21. The company has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from primarily commercial vehicle production to a broader range of passenger and military vehicles.

Significant Achievements:

  • BAIC was among China’s top ten most productive automakers in 2010.
  • In 2011 and 2012, BAIC produced 1.5 million and 1.7 million vehicles, respectively.
  • The company acquired Saab’s technology in 2009, enhancing its capability to produce older Saab models for the Chinese market.

Brands and Product Range: BAIC Group has a wide product range, including buses, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, light trucks, and military vehicles. Its consumer vehicle offerings are diversified and include both self-branded products and joint-venture vehicles.

Key Brands:

  1. Arcfox: BAIC’s premium EV brand.
  2. BEIJING (北京汽车): A major brand revived in 2020, previously known as Senova.
  3. Beijing Off-road Vehicles (北京越野): Specializes in off-road vehicles.
  4. Foton: Subsidiary focusing on trucks, buses, SUVs, and agricultural machinery.
  5. Ruili Doda: Sub-brand producing a variety of vehicles.
  6. Changhe: Acquired by BAIC, introducing products based on BAIC’s platform.

Joint Ventures: BAIC Group has formed several joint ventures, including:

  1. Beijing Hyundai: A 50:50 joint venture with Hyundai Motor Company.
  2. Beijing Benz: A joint venture with Daimler AG, producing Mercedes-Benz models.
  3. Beijing Foton Daimler: Produces commercial trucks in partnership with Daimler.
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