STOCKHOLM — Autoliv Inc. has acquired Delphi’s 51 percent share in the Chinese seatbelt maker Beijing Delphi Automotive Safety Products (BDS). BDS is a joint venture between Delphi and the Chinese company BHAP.
The joint venture, started in 2008, specializes in seatbelt production. Primary customers include Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor Co. (DYKMC) and Beijing Hyundai Motor Co. (BHMC). The operations are expected to generate approximately $30 million of annualized sales in 2010 and employ approximately 240 people.
“This investment strengthens Autoliv’s competitive edge and our commitment to the Chinese automotive industry,” said Jan Carlson, president and CEO of Autoliv Inc.
Including this latest acquisition, Autoliv now has 10 manufacturing facilities in China and is China’s leading automotive safety system supplier, both to global vehicle manufacturers in the country and to domestic Chinese vehicle manufacturers.
Recently, Autoliv opened a new airbag cushion facility and technical center with the capacity to perform full crash tests of complete vehicles.
Last year, Autoliv’s sales in China grew by 67 percent and are this year expected to grow by 50 percent to exceed $700 million. Chinese light vehicle production is expected to grow by 20 percent.
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