WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — J.D. Power and Associates, a business of The McGraw-Hill Companies, has acquired Automotive Resources Asia (ARA), a market strategy and information firm specializing in Asia’s car markets since 1993. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
ARA provides market information to automakers and suppliers in the China and the ASEAN region. The company’s surveys are routinely used by global and domestic automobile manufacturers and parts suppliers to collect insights on everything from new-vehicle buyer behavior to future product demand forecasts. The company maintains offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok.
"We are delighted to add ARA to the growing J.D. Power and Associates network in China and Asia," said J.D. Power III, founder of the firm, at a press conference in Beijing. "We have worked closely with ARA to produce our Asia Pacific and powertrain forecasts. ARA’s analytical discipline, insight and on-the-ground understanding of China’s automotive marketplace complement J.D. Power and Associates’ strategic focus and direction and will serve our customers extremely well."
"The philosophies and capabilities of ARA and J.D. Power and Associates are such a good match that we jointly decided to bring ARA’s people and knowledge officially into the J.D. Power and Associates business," said Michael Dunne, former president of ARA who now becomes vice president at J.D. Power Asia Pacific. "We look forward to bringing a new dimension of service and insight to the local marketplace."
"The Chinese Association of Automotive Manufacturers (CAAM) has worked closely with J.D. Power to help prepare our industry for rapid growth and success in the global marketplace," said Jiang Lei, CAAM executive vice chairman. "We have also valued ARA’s insights and welcome this combination of strength, shared resource and clear commitment to China’s automotive industry."
"Given the complex and fast-changing nature of the Chinese automotive market, solid information on industry and customer needs is critical," said Phil Murtaugh, executive vice president of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Group (SAIC). "With the addition of ARA, J.D. Power is uniquely positioned to provide a single, comprehensive source of insight into this rapidly evolving industry."
China ranked third in overall light-vehicle sales in 2005, behind the United States and Japan. In addition, China represents more than one-third of growth of global light-vehicle sales projected over the next seven years.
For more information about J.D. Power and Associates, go to: http://www.jdpower.com
