With 18 million cars produced in 2012, China has overtaken Europe and the US as the world’s biggest automobile market.
Among the automotive logistics specialists serving this high-growth market is Gefco, a subsidiary of French car maker PSA Peugeot-Citroën, which started operating in China in the late 1990s and subsequently established a joint-venture with a domestic partner.
With 18 million cars produced in 2012, China has overtaken Europe and the US as the world’s biggest automobile market.
Among the automotive logistics specialists serving this high-growth market is Gefco, a subsidiary of French car maker PSA Peugeot-Citroën, which started operating in China in the late 1990s and subsequently established a joint-venture with a domestic partner.
It set up its own subsidiary in 2008 and has since established eight branches in China, including one which has just opened in Shenzhen. It also has joint-venture operations in Wuhan and Shenzhen to provide extra support for its major customers.
Gefco has experienced steady growth since its entry into the Chinese market. Andrea Ambrogio, MD of Gefco China tells Lloyd’s Loading List.com: “Turnover increased by 13% in 2011 compared with 2010, and in 2012 we achieved the same growth rate with revenues reaching around €40 million.”
To secure future growth in China, Gefco is now looking at developing multimodal services on the back of its recently-established relationship with JSC Russian Railways (RZD), following the November sale by PSA Peugeot-Citroën of 75% of Gefco to RZD for €800 million.
“Gefco China plans to offer rail freight solutions between China, Russia and Eastern Europe,” says Ambrogio. “RZD will support us in setting up international block-trains and single-wagon services between China and Europe.
“In addition, we aim to invest in logistics facilities in central and western China. Our mission is for Gefco China to emerge as one of the biggest subsidiaries within the group.
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