Magneti Marelli was presented with the “Panda D’oro Award – 2011 edition” from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China. The award, aimed at promoting the “Made in Italy” and the Italian style in all its forms and expression, was given during the “Italian Grand Gala” held this past weekend in Shanghai.
Magneti Marelli won the “Panda D’oro” award in the “China” category as the “Italian company that implemented the most effective approach to the Chinese market in 2010”.
The award was also presented ex aequo to Candy Jinling and Savio Shandong.
In 2010, Magneti Marelli managed to increase its turnover in China by more than 40% (232 million/€ in 2010 compared to 162 in 2009), thus exceeding the performances of an automotive market already experiencing strong growth (approximately +32%).
“This is a prestigious acknowledgement – said Eugenio Razelli, C.E.O. of Magneti Marelli – that rewards the activity carried out by the Magneti Marelli team in developing the Chinese market with products and solutions designed to satisfy the evolving needs of customers, market and regulations in this great country’s automotive sector”.
“The Panda d’Oro award comes right when we are celebrating our 15 years of doing business in China, – commented Luca Biagini, Country Manager of Magneti Marelli China – and it bears witness to the continuous growth and effectiveness of an approach to a very challenging market, one that combines the company’s direct operations and its ability to relate to and become integrated in the Chinese scenario, for business development that is sure to continue in the future as well”.
The Panda d’Oro Award aims to reward those Italian and Chinese individuals and organizations that stand out in terms of strengthening and developing bilateral relations between Italy and China. The 2011 edition of the prominent award presented by the Italian Chamber of Commerce was organized in collaboration with the Italy-China Foundation, and under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Beijing, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the Expo Group of Shanghai.
The Jury, chaired by the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, Franco Cutrupia, as well as by the Italian Ambassador in China, His Excellency Attilio Massimo Iannucci as Honorary President, consisted of authoritative members such as Cesare Romiti, President of the Italy-China Foundation, Alcide Luini, Managing Director of the Italy-China Foundation, Italy’s Consul General in Shanghai, Vincenzo De Luca, the ICE Director Antonio Laspina, the Vice-Presidents of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China in Shanghai and Canton - Claudio d’Agostino and Marco Bettin respectively – and Marco Del Corona, correspondent for the Corriere della Sera in Beijing.
Magneti Marelli’s presence in China dates back to 1996, with the opening of the Electronic Systems plant in the area of Guangzhou. During the course of the years, Magneti Marelli has strengthened and consolidated its presence with the aim of being strategically close to its Chinese customers. Today, the Company’s footprint in China includes Shanghai (headquarters as well as Powertrain, Exhaust Systems and Lighting areas), Wuhu (Lighting and Powertrain) and Guangzhou (Electronic Systems). Moreover, in 2010 the new plant for the joint venture between Magneti Marelli and Shanghai Automobile Gear Works (SAGW) was inaugurated in the automotive industrial district of Jiading, near Shanghai. This plant is set to produce hydraulic components for the Magneti Marelli Freechoice™ robotized transmission.
