China currently produces
about 1.7 million passenger vehicles and 9 million
motorcycles per year. From the beginning of this
year all new cars manufactured in China have had
to meet Euro I emission standards which require the
fitment of autocatalysts. Other vehicles will have
to meet these regulations from 1 January 2001. Nationwide
emission regulations for new motorcycles based on
the Euro I standards, will also be implemented during
2001 and will require catalysts to be fitted to 2-stroke
bikes.
Stricter Euro II
standards are to be implemented nationwide in 2004.
Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are seeking to
meet these stricter standards ahead of national legislation
in order to tackle major air pollution problems in
China's rapidly growing urban areas.
The new autocatalyst
facility is expected to be in production at the beginning
of 2001.
Commenting on this
announcement, Neil Carson, Executive Director, said:
"The market for cars
and motorcycles in China is set to grow rapidly.
This Johnson Matthey investment, our ninth global
manufacturing facility, will supply our customers
in China with high performance, cost effective catalysts
for cars and motorcycles and will help enable increased
personal mobility without compromising air quality.
We plan to build on this base investment over time
to better serve the local market for other Johnson
Matthey products as the Chinese economy continues
to grow."
