BMW backs overhaul of China JV partner's parent Huachen

BEIJING: BMW said it wanted to support the restructuring of Huachen Group, parent of the German premium automaker's Chinese joint venture partner

BMW said in a Tuesday statement to Reuters that it also wanted to use Huachen's existing car manufacturing capacity. Huachen is based in China's north-eastern city of Shenyang in Liaoning province.

"To BMW, Liaoning province and the city of Shenyang have become the crucial innovation and production base in China, and the cornerstone of our future success in China," BMW said. It did not offer details of how it plans to participate in Huachen's restructuring.

BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) is BMW's main business in China and key to its global sales. BMW said in 2018 that it would pay €3.6 billion (RM17.7bil) in 2022 for a further 25% stake in BBA.

Huachen has defaulted on billions of yuan in debt obligations. Chinese regulators have launched an investigation into possible violations of disclosure laws by the company.

BMW separately operates a joint venture for electric vehicles with Great Wall Motor.