Chinese auto-manufacturer hints at possible SA assembly plant

China’s biggest private auto-manufacturer, Geely Automobile, will be carefully evaluating the possibility of an SA assembly plant following the recent visit of Geely Holding Group chairman, Li Shufu, to South Africa. “His visit can be seen as a move towards possible major future investment and expansion, with local assembly to be carefully evaluated and placed on the agenda,” according to a statement from the company. Shufu returned to his homeland last week after attending the Brics conference in Durban. He visited the independent Geely South Africa after the conference, and also paid a visit to Volvo SA, the local subsidiary of the Swedish automaker taken over by his company in October 2010. He encouraged talks between Volvo and Geely SA for local collaboration in the short term and the investigation of further benefits such as local assembly.