Johannesburg, South Africa
Beijing Automotive Industry Corp.
(BAIC), one of the largest automobile manufacturers in China will be demonstrating its innovation-driven
offroad range vehicles, characterized by electrification, intelligence, connectivity and sharing. Established
in 1958 and headquartered in Beijing, BAIC has now developed into a large State-owned automobile enterprise
group covering the R&D and manufacturing of complete vehicles and parts & components, auto services
and trade, integrated mobility services, finance and investment and general aviation. The company ranks 124th
on the Fortune 500 list of 2021.
This year, BAIC will be completing its B-series range of offroad
vehicles, most notably, the B40 PLUS 8AT, available in 2 litre Petrol Turbo or 2.0 Diesel Turbo. Launched in
South Africa in 2016 through a joint venture with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), BAIC will be
previewing the iconic B80, described by analysts as the only off-road on the market without boundaries. The
official launch is planned for the end of October 2022.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BAIC
South Africa, Mr Hugo HU says that the company has always pioneered off-road vehicles since its formation in
1958. “When Beijing Automotive Works produced the Jinggangshan sedan, the first model developed on its own,
BAIC has developed and manufactured B212, China’s first-generation light off-road vehicle, and B130, the
first-generation light truck, and established Beijing Jeep Corporation, China’s first joint venture
specialized in vehicle manufacturing, Beijing Hyundai Auto Co., Ltd., China’s first vehicle manufacturing
joint venture after China was admitted into WTO, and Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd., the model of
strengthening strategic joint venture and cooperation in a deep-going way.”
“This year, we are
introducing the B80 that was rated ‘one of the most reliable off-road vehicle in the world after the boxy
four-wheel drive model achieved test scores that were seven times higher than those of its competitors. To
this end, a conclusion was reached after the 4×4 was subjected to a rigorous system of trials organized by
China’s People’s Liberation Army, who just took on a contract to use the SUV in a military capacity. The tests
pitted the B80 against its competitor found that the Chinese-built off-roader netted scores seven times higher
than the industry benchmark,” said Mr Hu.
Meanwhile, Basil Costa, Senior Manager at BAIC South Africa
says that the company invites off-road enthusiasts to experience the “bold and unapologetic B40 PLUS which
boasts a long heritage of off-road capability,” he says, adding that “off-road fanatics will be spoilt to a
4x4 driving experience with the B40 PLUS and preview the legendary B80 at the show.” The event takes place at
the Kyalami Circuit from 26-28 August 2022 and promises to deliver on its mandate as the largest
industry-supported motor show in Africa. “Our customers will have an opportunity to view our complete range of
the BAIC B-series off-road vehicles at all our dealership nation-wide” Costa concludes.
Patience Dumisani
Office:
+27 10 020
8888
Mobile:
+27 79 459
7076
E-Mail: patience.dumisani@baicsa.co.za
After 63 years of unremitting development, BAIC Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC
Group) has become one of the five largest automotive groups in China. With its headquarters located in Beijing
and at the Turin Styling Centre in Italy and production bases all over China, BAIC Group currently has around
130,000 employees. It is one of the automotive groups in China with the most comprehensive portfolio of
products, covering the full range from passenger to commercial vehicles.
In 2018, BAIC Group achieved
the promising results 2,402,000 sold units, making BAIC Group No. 5 in China’s automotive sector in terms of
income and profit, and No.3 in terms of brand value. Today, BAIC Group 124th in the Fortune Global 500 and has
been on the Fortune 500 list for the past 9 years.
