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www.chinabusses.org: On June 20, Cuba 2016 Industrial Exhibition officially kicked off at Havana Pabexpo Center. The exhibition aims to showcase the latest achievements in Cuban industries and provide a platform for exchange and cooperation with international industrial giants. As a long-term cooperative partner, Yutong brought three popular bus models on display, demonstrating China’s internationally competitive manufacturing strengths.
According to Yutong, the three bus models displaying at the exhibition are tailor-made for Latin America. Yutong ZK6122H9, based on the well-developed 12-meter bus, has made a range of adjustments to suit the special needs of bus operators in the region. The bus boasts a number of passenger-friendly features, including more comfortable seats and larger luggage compartments, etc. Given some long-distance transportation routes which often take more than ten hours, Yutong has mounted an easy chair for drivers to relax and a heat insulating box for them to drink iced water during the long journey. So far, 370 units ZK6122H9 have been sold in Latin America. Cuba-based Transtur and Transgaviota, two major bus operators in the country, are among many loyal customers of the vehicle.
Yutong ZK6122H9
Another star at the exhibition is the eight-meter ZK6838HA, a new medium-sized coach specially developed for the overseas market. With a luggage compartment 20% more spacious than that of its counterparts, the coach is equipped with AMP water-proof connectors, imported electric relays and VDO sensors, all of which have significantly improved the reliability of the vehicle’s electric system. In addition, the whole vehicle cathodic electrophoresis process and tinned copper wires have largely improved the vehicle’s anti-corrosion capacity, anti-oxidation capacity and anti-combustion capacity. The SPL self-locking fasteners mounted at the vibration part of the chassis have given extra reliability to the vehicle. After its arrival in Cuba, Transtur and Transgaviota immediately purchased over 100 units. Now, ZK6838HA fleet has become a backbone in Cuba’s medium-sized coach transportation market.
Yutong ZK6838HA
The third bus model is the 7.5-meter DIANA, which was jointly developed in 2014 by Yutong and Caisa, a factory belonged to Cuba’s Ministry of Industry. The bus is aimed at the short-distance intercity transportation. While developing the vehicle, Yutong provided 935 units chassis and over 60% of vehicle components. Currently, 350 units DIANA have been put into operation. The rest 585 units are now in production and they are set to hit the market soon.
Yutong 7.5-meter DIANA Bus
Miao Wei, Minister of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, also visited Yutong’s exhibition stand. After hearing Yutong’s development in Latin America, he pointed out that Chinese enterprises must make certain adjustments to the local political and economic conditions while doing business abroad. “Creating a win-win situation is our goal and improving the well-being of the local people is also essential”, said Miao.
The 7.5-meter Diana bus represents the joint efforts of Yutong and Cuba. In 2014, Caisa, an indigenous bus brand started introducing bus chassis and spare parts from Yutong. In doing so, the company has significantly cut its production costs and ensured the quality of its products. Before this, Yutong cooperated with Cuba’s Ministry of Transport by setting up a CKD factory, which has rolled out 914 units buses. All these vehicles are working smoothly in the various sectors of the public transportation in Cuba.
Yutong officially entered Cuba in 2005. As of February, 2016, Yutong had exported an accumulated number of 6,746 units buses, ranging from city buses, inter-city buses, and school buses to tourism coaches. Boasting over 30 loyal customers, Yutong is playing an essential role in Cuba’s public transportation sector, bringing unprecedented travel conveniences for local people. Its success in the country has been highly prized as Cuba Mode. Zhang Tuo, Chinese ambassador to Cuba, is very proud of Yutong bus fleet, saying “Yutong quality and standards have long reached the hearts of many Cuban people”.
As of the end of 2015, Yutong’s total export volume had reached over 41,000 units. In 2015 alone, Yutong exported 7,218 units buses. In Latin America, its export volume reached 2,761 units in the same year, accounting for 66.02% of China’s overall large- and medium-sized bus exports in the region. For many consecutive years, Yutong has maintained the No.1 position among its rivals in Latin America.
However, Yutong does not rest in exporting vehicles abroad. By setting up CKD factories and joint ventures, the company is pursuing a much higher level of cooperation. So far, over 100 workers from Cuba have visited China, receiving a comprehensive training course. Such experiences have greatly deepened their understanding of Yutong’s corporate culture and production procedures. After returning home, these workers have all become the backbone in Yutong’s CKD factories, helping the country further improve its bus manufacturing capability. More importantly, Yutong has helped Cuba buy more vehicle spare parts locally instead of importing from foreign countries. Apart from Cuba, Yutong has also set up its CKD factory in Venezuela, marking the bus maker’s shift from product export to the export of technologies and capitals.
As early as 2003, Yutong started doing its business in Latin America, attaching strategic importance to the regional market. In just thirteen years, Yutong has already formed a formidable presence in a number of countries in the region, including Cuba, Venezuela, Chile,Uruguay, etc. In Cuba, Yutong has already become the dominant bus brand with its market share reaching 99.9% while its market share in Uruguay has also jumped to 90%.
Tang Yuxiang, president of Yutong Group, pointed out “We are like those hard-working farmers and we can only prove the value of our products through our diligence. While exploring the overseas markets, we believe it is very important to see far beyond the current economic returns. What we treasure most is our reputation.” Yutong’s high quality products and uncompromised services are the key to its continued success in Latin America and the rest of the global market.