At BAIC in Beijing, the communications department seems reluctant to give interviews or make statements. The Wall Street Journal was recently accorded a brief interview and allowed to cite a high-ranking manager -- but anonymously.

But Xu Changming, a car expert at the State Information Centre, explained why BAIC was interested in taking over Opel: “In general, the Chinese don’t have much experience of dealing with foreign companies. That can be said of almost all companies. Only a few have some experience at all but they haven’t had it for very long. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try. The first step is difficult but it has to be taken. BAIC is rapidly expanding on the Chinese car market. The company’s capacity and influence are growing.“

BAIC is number five on the market but it has benefitted from two of its joint-ventures. In early July, Mercedes-Benz announced a sales plus of 52 percent in comparison to the same period the previous year. Its other joint venture, Hyundai, has the third-largest market share after Volkswagen and General Motors -- and the strongest growth.

The anonymous manager at BAIC recently told the Wall Street Journal that there would be more growth thanks to a vast network of traders if Opel becomes part of his state-owned company.

BAIC interested in expanding its domestic market share

Xu Changming from the State Information Centre explained the deal was important especially in domestic terms: “Chinese companies are buying up businesses abroad so as to get better at home. Nobody would do it just because of export opportunities. In joint ventures on the Chinese car market, the foreigners have the say. If BAIC buys up the German company Opel, then BAIC will control Opel. If it has control, then it will benefit from the workers and from technical experience. It can make the company it’s own.“

When announced its bid for Opel in May, Bernd Reitmeier, the General Manager of the Delegations of German Industry and Commerce in Shanghai, reacted with little enthusiasm.

“Today, “ he said, “I don’t see a Chinese car automobile industry that could invest in Opel in any form. It’s very clear that BAIC is interested in accessing technology. BAIC even has to catch up on the Chinese carmakers. But in principle we will have to get used to the fact that there is more and more Chinese interest in investing.”

Will General Motors give BAIC a chance?

Right now, however, the big question is whether BAIC will be given a chance by General Motors (GM).

China is GM’s only growth market currently. But if BAIC starts importing Opel medium-category cars and later opens an Opel factory, GM could lose out on the Chinese market.

The anonymous manager told the Wall Street Journal this would not happen as GM would retain 49 percent of the shares. It would buy out the other 51 percent for 660 million euros.

The Chinese media do not have high hopes for BAIC. They think GM is using the Chinese company as a means of leverage only. Moreover, they say that money could be a problem even if BAIC is state-owned.

Authors: Astrid Freyeisen/Anne Thomas
Editor: Thomas Bärthlein