OREANDA-NEWS. August 31, 2011. A grand ceremony was held to mark that Chery’s ZGT plant in Aragua of Venezuela start producing cars. Ricardo Menendez, the minister of Science and Technology of Venezuela, Rafael Isea, governor of Aragua State, Chen Ping, commercial counsellor from Chinese embassy in Venezuela, Zhou Biren, vice general manager of Chery Auto and general manager of Chery International, and Jahrold Maizo, vice general manager of ZGT was present at the ceremony. Hugo Dhavez, the president of Venezuela sent his congratulation and concerns through internet to all Chery employees.

Zhou Biren, vice general manager of Chery Auto delivered an exciting speech. He said that the plant is the outcome of China and Venezuela’s friendship and it will provide more competitive products for Venezuelans after it was put into operation. Ricardo Menendez, the minister of Science and Technology highly commented on Chery Auto’s products quality and R&D capabilities and he also expressed his hopes that Chery Auto’s plant could bring more development opportunities for Venezuelan auto industry.

Chery Auto entered the Venezuela’s market in May 2006. Its products gained great popularities from the local people by fashionable appearance and reasonable price. 3500 vehicles were sold in the first year when Chery entered Venezuela and after that Chery’s sales had been rising continuously. Due to the limitation of import quota regulated by Venezuela government, Chery’s supply always could not meet the demand of local market. With the completion and put into operation of the plant, Chery will see a sustainable and fast growing of its sales in Venezuela.

Venezuela has abundant oil resources with price of 10 cents each liter, so the cost of using vehicle is low there. However, the auto industry is under developed and the production capacity is low. Demands from low-income citizens could not be met before. Venezuelan auto industry was started in the beginning of 1960s and before the completion of Chery’s plant, there were only 15 auto assembly plants nationwide and 250 thousand vehicles could be assembled. Mainly these auto plants were built by international auto companies from Europe, America, Japan and South Korea like CHRYSLER,GM,FORD,HONDA,TOYOTA,MITSUBISHI,VW,FIAT and RENAULT, etc. The completion of Chery’s Plant makes Chery the first Chinese auto company which was legally allowed to assemble vehicles and acquired import quota. It laid a solid foundation for Chery to further develop in Venezuela market.

As Chinese top independent auto maker, Chery has won the No.1 title of Chinese passenger vehicles exportation by strong technology support and rich marketing experiences for 8 consecutive years. It has more than 1000 sales and service stations in over 80 countries. The total exported vehicle reaches 500 thousand early this year.

According to the management of Chery Auto, more positive measures will be taken to boost the development of auto industry of Venezuela, provide more competitive good products for Venezuelans after the completion of the plant. Chery will spare no effort to contribute to the development of Venezuela’s economy and the friendship between the two countries.