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China Buy Boosts J.D. Power
J.D. Power and Associates has acquired Automotive Resources Asia (ARA), an information and market strategy firm with offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Michael Dunne, former President of ARA, becomes Vice President at J.D. Power Asia Pacific. Founder J.D. Power III says the firms have worked closely together to produce JDPA's Asia Pacific and powertrain forecasts. 'ARA's analytical discipline, insight and on-the-ground understanding of China's automotive marketplace complement J.D. Power and Associates' strategic focus and direction and will serve our customers extremely well.'
China and the ASEAN region include the world's fastest-growing automotive markets: China ranked third in overall light-vehicle sales in 2005, behind the United States and Japan. In addition, China represents more than one-third of growth of global light-vehicle sales projected over the next seven years. ARA works for global and domestic automobile manufacturers and parts suppliers to collect insights on everything from new-vehicle buyer behavior to future product demand forecasts.
The deal was greeted with enthusiasm by clients. Jiang Lei, Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese Association of Automotive Manufacturers (CAAM) said his organisation had 'worked closely with J.D. Power to help prepare our industry for rapid growth and success in the global marketplace... We have also valued ARA's insights and welcome this combination of strength, shared resource and clear commitment to China's automotive industry.' Phil Murtaugh, Executive Vice President of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Group (SAIC) adds: 'Given the complex and fast-changing nature of the Chinese automotive market, solid information on industry and customer needs is critical. With the addition of ARA, J.D. Power is uniquely positioned to provide a single, comprehensive source of insight into this rapidly evolving industry.'
J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies and is online at www.jdpa.com . The firm has been conducting business in China since 2000 and its Asia Pacific company has its own web site at www.jdpowerchina.com.cn .
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