GM signs auto technology research deal with China Education Ministry

[Ming]

GM signs auto technology research deal with China Education Ministry
05.21.07
Will Davies
AFX News Limited



BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - General Motors Corp said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Ministry of Education to strengthen its cooperation with Chinese universities in the research and development of automotive technologies.

In a statement, GM said it will share its technology and expertise with Chinese universities as part of its effort to encourage technology innovation.

As part of the agreement, GM will fund a three-year program that will reward researchers at Chinese universities who make major achievements in automotive technology innovation, the statement said.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx3740235.html

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

Why isnt this given to American Universities???

Create some opportunity on the f****n homefront!!!

[GMFreak8]

Originally Posted by CADILLACSIXTEEN

Why isnt this given to American Universities???

Create some opportunity on the f****n homefront!!!

Completely, 100% agree. This is ridiculous.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by CADILLACSIXTEEN

Why isnt this given to American Universities???

Create some opportunity on the f****n homefront!!!

They have already. Many times actually. Why not expand the talent pool though?

[GMFreak8]

Originally Posted by K-1

They have already. Many times actually. Why not expand the talent pool though?

Why expand to China? A country known for taking designs, copying them, and then selling them as their own. Screw that. I think it's ridiculous that an American company is willing to do this.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by GMFreak8

Why expand to China? A country known for taking designs, copying them, and then selling them as their own. Screw that. I think it's ridiculous that an American company is willing to do this.

Maybe because they're pumping out hard-working, highly intellectual engineers? They can either embrace it or try to thwart it with the patriotism card. I think they've learned that, given their current position, the latter doesn't work.

[T-Type]

I don't like this either, but it does make some business sense. China is becoming a huge part of growth/income for GM. They need Chinese engineers to do the work in China. Also this makes them look good to the Chinese government. That is a good thing considering how much money they are making there. Last thing they want to do is piss off the Chinese.

[Butz]

Makes sense, but still they should invest more in America not China!

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Butz

Makes sense, but still they should invest more in America not China!

They've invested in America for nearly a century. Don't you think other people might have some valid input too? Maybe a different way of looking at how to design and manufacture a vehicle?

[A Bum In A Bus]

Go ahead GM, kiss some Chinese butt, they will take this same technology and use it to put you out of business. Another great plan by GM management, that is the same kind of management that has gotten the company in the "hell of a mess" it is in today........................good grief.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by A Bum In A Bus

Go ahead GM, kiss some Chinese butt, they will take this same technology and use it to put you out of business. Another great plan by GM management, that is the same kind of management that has gotten the company in the "hell of a mess" it is in today........................good grief.

No, what got them in this "hell of a mess" is ignoring the up-and-comers and brushing them off. The Japanese could never build a decent automobile, right?

[regfootball]

better to team up with the Chinese rather than the Japanese, IMHO.

We know the Chinese and Japanese don't like each other, so maybe we can fight Japan this way. Might be a better way to take out Toyota is by banding with China.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by regfootball

better to team up with the Chinese rather than the Japanese, IMHO.

We know the Chinese and Japanese don't like each other, so maybe we can fight Japan this way. Might be a better way to take out Toyota is by banding with China.

In the grand scheme of things, Japan is barely a blip on the radar.

[sierra1972]

Originally Posted by K-1

Maybe because they're pumping out hard-working, highly intellectual engineers? They can either embrace it or try to thwart it with the patriotism card. I think they've learned that, given their current position, the latter doesn't work.

K-1, I work with Chinese engineers every day in GM's business. They are largely neither of the two characteristics you describe. Their education system is poor, they lack initiative and teamwork, and Chinese industry as a whole is only at the 'copy and regurgitate' stage.

This 'partnership' is only a Chinese-government backed program to continue their track record of intellectual property theft. Whatever tech that GM puts on the table at the universities will go right to the state-owned car makers along with the students working on it.

When will North American industry finally understand how closely tied the Chinese central government is to Chinese business, and how they work as a united front to push their economy?

Interested people should read James McGregor's book One Billion Customers.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by sierra1972

K-1, I work with Chinese engineers every day in GM's business. They are largely neither of the two characteristics you describe. Their education system is poor, they lack initiative and teamwork, and Chinese industry as a whole is only at the 'copy and regurgitate' stage.

Really? I've had quite the opposite experience.