Yutong buses step into spotlight of FOCAC
The 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in the resort city Sharm-el-Sheikh of Egypt on November 7-8. President Mubarak of Egypt, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and other 10-odd Chinese and African heads of state or government attended the forum. During the forum which caused enthusiastic response in African countries, Yutong, as a Chinese bus builder who possesses the largest on-road vehicles in Egypt in terms of imported coach market, has provided 54 coaches for this big event. In addition, Yutong attended and made a keynote speech at the "Forum on China-Africa Cooperation- the Third China-Africa Entrepreneur Conference", as the only representative of China's bus industry.
As the only bus enterprise serving the FOCAC, Yutong provided 23 units ZK6129H, 6 units ZK6100HB, 25 units ZK6860HA for the conference preparatory organizations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Trade and Industry, the State Administration of National Security, Tourism Police Station, China Embassy and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, as well as other Chinese and African officials and entrepreneurs. These 54 buses were used to take the attendees to and from the forum and visit scenic spots. The stylish appearance, ergonomic details and specious passenger compartment have brought luxurious experience to them. It is learned that there are nearly 300 Yutong coaches carrying visitors from worldwide in Egypt.
Among these 54 buses, some are from Sharm-el-Sheikh and some are from other regions in Egypt. These buses traveled about one thousand kilometers from Luxor and Aswan and still remained in good condition during the whole conference. A service vehicle, a service manager, an electrical engineer and a mechanical engineer were available round the clock during the event thus ensuring the normal operation of the buses. The interior cleanness and punctual service made me feel the good performance of Yutong buses and gave me a good impression," said an attendee.
As the only representative of China's bus industry, Yutong made a speech titled "Contribution to the African transportation with cooperation and development" at the forum and received warm response from African ministers and entrepreneurs. Many African enterprises showed strong interest in assisting Yutong to establish and improve transport network in St.Petersburg (Russia) and Venezuela.
This Forum on China-Africa Cooperation plays a very important role to promote further cooperation and sets up the long-term friendship for the people in both China and Africa. Yutong has actively responded to the cooperation promotion measures of cooperation between Chinese government and African countries through its after-service in Africa and the training of the local employees. A Yutong's leader claimed, "The Chinese bus builders pay much attention to the after-service, taking Yutong as an example, the total number of the service staff in Africa has exceeded 330. Meanwhile, the spare parts storage centers built up in different countries ensure the timely supply through sound parts management and logistics system thus guaranteeing the normal operation of buses. We also attach great importance to the training of the local employees. Recently. Yutong international training center has been formally established in Zhengzhou and trainees from Sudan, Philippines, Egypt, Singapore, Hongkong and Macao are being trained there.
Since 2006, about 11,360 buses made by Chinese bus builders have been exported Africa, accounting for a quarter of total bus exports of China. Yutong, for example, has totally exported 1,280 buses to different countries in Africa since then. It is learned that this number is still increasing each month. Africa has become one of China s most important bus export markets. The development of Yutong Bus in Africa is exactly the microcosm of cooperation between China s bus industry and African countries. Chinese enterprises need to further develop the African market to let Africa know more about China and Chinese products serve Africa better.
