Nexteer opens fourth plant in China

Saginaw, Michigan – Nexteer Automotive has opened its fourth China-based steering manufactur-ing plant in Liuzhou, China. The plant will produce brush electric power steering systems (Brush EPS or BEPS), which is a unique product specifically designed for the Chinese automotive and other develop-ing markets.

Liuzhou was chosen as the location of the new plant due to its proximity to key strategic customers and its highly skilled workforce. The city is one of China's twelve-state export bases of automobiles, parts, and components.

Nexteer executives, Laurent Bresson, president and chief operating officer, and Tao Liu, China Di-vision chief operating officer, were joined by dignitaries including Liuzhou vice mayor, Mr. Yang Yi, at the grand opening on August 24.

"As adoption of brush EPS systems in China has grown, additional production capacity is needed to meet increasing customer demand," says Liu. "By expanding our capabilities with new operations in Liuzhou, we can better serve the Chinese automotive market. We look forward to growing our pres-ence in Liuzhou as we address the needs of a growing market and drive innovation in the steering in-dustry."

The plant will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexteer Automotive known as Nexteer Automotive Systems (Liuzhou) Co. Ltd. (Nexteer Liuzhou). The facility covers an area of 10,000m². Nexteer Liuzhou currently has more than 200 employees and expects to double its workforce in 2016.

Nexteer's electric power steering (EPS) systems are a socially responsible technology that offers automakers increased fuel economy and reduced emissions. The company recently surpassed produc-tion of its 30 millionth EPS system since beginning production in 1999 and also marked the milestone of producing 1 million brush EPS systems to various China domestic customers, including SAIC GM Wuling (SGMW).

Source: Nexteer Automotive