China Hopes To Poach Overseas Automotive Engineering Talent

China has a problem. Although it has the financial and material resources to compete with the world�s automakers, it lacks the design and engineering knowhow.
The solution � to companies such as BAIC, Dongfeng, Chang�an and others � is to seek talent abroad; in Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and USA. Research and development centres are popping up in Nottingham and Detroit and recruitment fairs are being held in Munich, Stuttgart and Aachen.

Daimler Signs US$2.87 billion Deal with BAIC

The picture may seem familiar: Chinese and German businesspersons on the same table signing some papers, while German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, standing behind them with their country flags are floating in the background.
Only this time the Germans are Daimler�s executives, not Volkswagen�s, and the other signatory is BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation).

Mercedes Chinese Partner BAIC

Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp., commonly known by the acronym BAIC, is one of Mercedes-Benz's partners in China. However, that didn't stop the Chinese automaker, which has acquired the intellectual rights for Saab's older 9-5 and certain 9-3 models, to rip off the design of Mercedes' B-Class for its new BC301Z five-door hatchback and to a lesser extent, the BC302Z sedan.