Media Release
10 July 2009
Trade Minister and Innovation Minister Visit Key Automotive Centres in China
The Minister for Trade Simon Crean and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr will visit China to promote Australia's automotive industry in the booming car manufacturing centres.
China is now the world's second-largest auto manufacturer and largest market for new passenger vehicles. Despite the global economic downturn, Anhui and Hubei provinces have experienced double-digit growth rates, expanding opportunities for many Australian industries. The visit will also be an important second track - in addition to our trade negotiation efforts - in engaging more deeply with the Chinese economy.
"China is a key market for the future of Australia's automotive industry," Senator Carr said. "We will deliver the message that Australia has the auto design and engineering expertise - including new and green technologies - to allow Australia to play a lead role in the rapidly changing Chinese auto market," Senator Carr said.
The Ministers will meet leading Chinese car manufacturers including Shanghai Automotive Industry Cooperation (SAIC), Geely, Chery, Dongfeng and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co (JAC). They will also attend a ceremony to mark the "10,000th seat per month" milestone for Australian automotive components manufacturer, Futuris, in its exports to China.
"We want to drive greater levels of cooperation between the auto sectors in Australia and China and help Australian companies to secure a bigger slice of the action in the world's largest new passenger car market," Mr Crean said.
The Ministers will meet senior municipal and provincial leaders to highlight the significant benefits of deeper integration of our economies. Australia stands to play a critical supply chains role to meet the fast-growing demand from China's central and inland regions.
"We are actively pursuing a second track of commercial links at the business-to-business and government-to-business level with China. We are keen to expand Australia's commercial footprint across the breadth of China, including in areas of central and western China," Mr Crean said.
Senator Carr said the diversification of markets for Australian automotive parts makers was a critical part of the Australian Government's strategy for a sustainable industry.
"Our New Car Plan for a Greener Future sets a policy framework for diversification. We will be meeting with key members of the General Motors Asia Pacific board, including GM Asia Pacific president Nick Reilly, in Shanghai. That meeting highlights the importance of GM Holden to the auto maker's global strategy," Senator Carr said.
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555