The top two US automakers have announced plans to export thousands of vehicles to China as the country moves to open up its market to foreign competition.  
 
General Motors and Ford announced they have signed agreements with their joint venture partners in China to export vehicles to the country between now and 2006.

GM says it will export more than 5,000 of its luxury Cadillac and Buick models in 2004 and 2005, both through its China-based subsidiary, GM China, and independent Chinese importers.

The deals have a combined value of US$1.3 billion.

Meanwhile, Ford says it will begin shipping the first of 5,250 US-built units later this year under newly granted export licences.

(CRI November 13, 2003)