BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder laid the plant cornerstone for a new Mercedes-Benz production plant in Beijing Monday.

Located in southeast Beijing's Beijing Development Area, this plant was established as part of Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Corporation, a new joint venture of DaimlerChrysler and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company.

DaimlerChrysler and BAIC each have a 50 percent stake in the new 30-year joint venture, which will be responsible for local production of Mercedes-Benz E- and C- Class sedans at the new plant beginning from mid-2005.

Schroeder came here for a three-day working visit to China as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. His entourage includes 44 businessmen from established German companies in fields of finance, electronics, machinery and aviation.

Noting the automobile industry is an engine of China's booming economy, Schroeder said that DaimlerChrysler's increased investment here will create a win-win situation, benefiting both Germany and China.

"DaimlerChrysler's move will surely lure more German small- and medium-size companies to do business in China," Schroeder said.

I can hardly wait for the first Mao Tse "D" Benz to come off the line.

Chinese Benz?
Maybe Fiat's weren't such bad cars afterall.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

It's always great seeing a company getting back to its roots, the root in this case being slave labor.

I venture that the Koreans feel a little put out, since they only have a license from Daimler to reproduce the W124 for domestic consumption.

HOT DAMN! Now Wal-Mart will finally be able to sell MB's.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

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