Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus

Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus, also known as Nanjing Golden Dragon Skywell,[a] is a Chinese manufacturing company established in 2000 in Nanjing. It produces vans, buses and commercial vehicles for the domestic and export markets. It is a subsidiary company under the Skywell New Energy Automobile Group,[1] and a joint venture with the Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry.

Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus
南京金龙开沃客车
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2000; 24 years ago (2000)
Headquarters
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Huang Hongsheng (Chairman)
ProductsVans
Buses
Commercial Vehicles
ParentSkywell New Energy Automobile Group
WebsiteOfficial Website (English)
Footnotes / references
English site
Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus
Simplified Chinese南京金龙开沃客车
Traditional Chinese南京金龍開沃客車
Literal meaningNanjing Jinlong Kaiwo Bus Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinNánjīng jīnlóng kāi wò kèchē

Its competitors in the hybrid bus industry include Yutong, the Fujian Motors Group (Higer Bus, King Long, Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus), BYD Auto and Zhongtong Bus.[2]

Vehicles manufactured and marketed by NGDB carry the Skywell marque,[3] inspired from the English word Skyworth.[4] The name was officially trademarked for NGDB's use as of 2015.[5]

History

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NGDB was established in 2000.[6][7] In 2005, the company underwent restructuring with Xiamen King Long and Nanjing Dongyu Auto Group, each accounting for 60% and 40% of company shares.[6] NGDB underwent another company restructuring in 2011.[8]

In 2012, NGDB passed the new energy vehicle production qualification examination.[4][6]

On February 27, 2012, Huang Honsheng[b] became chairman of NGBD through investing in the major shareholder, Nanjing Chuangyuan Tiandi Automobile Co. Huang had been released from prison in 2009 after serving three years on charges of theft of corporate funds.[9] He had also been found guilty of conspiracy to embezzle more than 50 million yuan from two Skyworth subsidiaries along with his brother between 2000 and 2004.[9] As of 2015, Huang owns 80% of the company.[11]

On April 20, 2015, NGDB officially launched the Skywell D09 and D11 at the Shanghai International Auto Show.[12] The Skywell D12 was also publicly shown.[12] According to the company, the D11 was manufactured under cooperation with the University of Michigan.[13][14] In 2016, NGDB released the Skywell E07 and D11 logistic vehicles.[15] In 2017, the Skywell D07, D09 and D10 electric logistic vehicle were released.[15]

On February 25, 2016, Hefei Guoxuan Hi-Tech Power & Energy Co., Ltd. announced that it signed an agreement with NGDB to purchase electric batteries for 1.058 billion RMB.[16] On May 24, 2016, NGDB debuted several hybrid buses including the D11 at the 2016 Beijing International Road Transportation, Urban Bus and Parts Exhibition.[17] The D11 made an appearance at the Canton Trade Fair alongside the D12 on October 20, 2016.[18]

On August 1, 2017, NGDB secured contracts to provide 5,500 D10 logistics vehicles to Chuanghong New Energy, Xi'an Chuangli, and Xi'an Yifu.[15] On August 8, 2017, NGDB debuted a prototype MPV at the 2017 Nanjing Jinlong New Energy Logistics Vehicle Product event.[19] The prototype has a lithium-ion battery with a cruising range of 350 km (220 mi) and a maximum speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).[20]

On January 21, 2018, Huang announced that in June 2017, NGDB acquired the production rights and machinery to manufacture the Chana Taurustar.[21]

On June 18, 2019, the 29th National Energy Conservation Publicity Week and the 5th Nanjing Municipal Public Enterprise Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Promotion Month event unveiled the new Z04 and Z10 electric trucks.[22] Jiang Yuejian, the deputy mayor of Nanjing, was the VIP who graced the event to launch the new trucks.[22]

Exports

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On March 4, 2016, NGDB announced the first exports were made to Hong Kong with 45 D11 electric buses to Hong Kong Xianglong Automobile Company.[23]

The D11s manufactured for Hong Kong were made according to local specifications, taking into account the hot and humid weather and the requirement to have them on the road for up to 20 hours, including low-floor access, sliding door, double rear doors and air conditioner systems.[23] Hong Kong's humid climate and its technical standards were also factored into the D11s made for the SAR.[24] The vehicles sold there would be used for luxury taxi operations.[24] According to Qin Xujun, the company's brand director, their exports to Hong Kong "will greatly boost our brand image on the global stage, bringing us closer to the international competition."[23]

In July 2017, NGDB expanded to Thailand in order to venture into the Southeast Asia market.[25]

On November 1, 2018, 49 electric buses were exported to Thailand.[25] At least 34 of the buses are in operational use with Chulalongkorn University.[25]

As of 2019, NGDB has an overseas presence in Thailand, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, India, Ukraine and Chile.[25][26]

Models

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Model Calendar year introduced Current model Vehicle information
Introduction Update (facelift)
Skywell Vehicles
  Skywell D07 2017 [15]
Skywell D08 2017 [15]
Skywell D09 2015 [12]
  Skywell D10 2017 [15]
  Skywell D11 2015 [12]
Skywell D12 2016 [18]
Skywell E07 2016 [15]
Skywell Z04 June 18, 2019 [22]
Skywell Z10 June 18, 2019 [22]
Nanjing Golden Dragon Vehicles
  NJL6129EV 2015 [27]
  NJL6859EV 2017 [28]
  NJL6706EV 2017

Facilities

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A research and development institute is located in Nanjing.[15] Ex-Chrysler design director Mengyang Zhang served as the head of the institute.[26] In September 2011, the Lishui production line was under construction and went operational by 2015.[4]

In August 2015, the company's business division was established in Wuhan.[8] It was announced that 10,000 hybrid buses and 5,000 spare parts were to be in production.[8] It was reported that NGDB signed an agreement with San Diego State University to establish a joint research laboratory in 2015 to develop electric batteries and other new technology.[29] The company has assisted in funding SDSU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with Professor Chunting C. Mi under the title "Joint Laboratory Development and Training".[30]

On March 2, 2016, NGDB's Wuhan bus production facility was inaugurated, based at the Hannan District Tonghang Industrial Park.[8]

A new production facility was announced in 2017 to be located in Guangzhou to manufacture 10 GWh power battery systems and packs.[15]

Sales

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In 2012, NGDB announced that 300 hybrid buses were put into operational use.[8] In 2013, 500 units were delivered to its customers.[8]

In 2014, Nanjing Golden Dragon's sales volume of new energy buses soared to 1,890 units.[8]

NGDB reported that in 2015, 8,700 buses were sold.[29]

Notes

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  1. ^ This name is also used sometimes in English reports from China.
  2. ^ He's sometimes known as Stephen Wong or Wong Wong Sang in various news reports.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ "SKYWORTH's three biggest undertakings will invest 11 billion yuan in Ningxia". Skywell Corp. 2016-01-12. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  2. ^ "China Electric Bus Industry Report, 2015-2020". Reportlinker. 2015-08-15. Archived from the original on 2017-03-19. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
  3. ^ Frank Beeton (2016-10-04). "China's Electric Bus Boom". Focus on Transport. Archived from the original on 2019-04-19. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  4. ^ a b c "南京金龙客车品牌改名skywell". China Buses. 2016-08-03. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  5. ^ "黄宏生初圆新能源汽车梦 南京金龙销量同比增4倍" (in Simplified Chinese). D1 EV. 2015-12-05. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  6. ^ a b c "Company History". Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus. Archived from the original on 2019-04-16. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  7. ^ "Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus CO., Ltd". China Buses. 2014-09-09. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Nanjing Golden Dragon Entered into Wuhan". China Buses. 2016-03-04. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  9. ^ a b c "Huang Riding on Auto Sector". Research in China. 2012-02-27. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  10. ^ "Yum Cha" (PDF). China Stock. 2017-11-28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  11. ^ "HK ex-con turned tycoon seeking to emulate Tesla". Taipei Times. 2015-05-04. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  12. ^ a b c d "430公里長續航新標杆 南京金龍D11純電動商務車亮相上海車" (in Traditional Chinese). KK News. 2015-04-23. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  13. ^ "路遙知勁力!走近南京金龍輕客D11「續航王」" (in Simplified Chinese). KK News. 2015-04-28. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  14. ^ "试驾南京金龙D11"续航王" 商务出行环保潮" (in Simplified Chinese). KK News. 2015-05-26. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nanjing Golden Dragon Secures An Order of 5,500 Units Electric Logistic Vehicles". China Buses. 2017-08-03. Archived from the original on 2018-03-20.
  16. ^ "Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus Joins Hands with Guoxuan Battery". China Buses. 2016-02-25. Archived from the original on 2018-07-20.
  17. ^ "南京金龙发布新品牌开沃 四模混动客车亮相" (in Simplified Chinese). People's Daily. 2016-05-24. Archived from the original on 2016-05-25.
  18. ^ a b "开沃汽车携明星产品D11、D12亮相第120届广交会" (in Simplified Chinese). China Buses. 2016-10-20. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  19. ^ "续航350公里 开沃首款7座纯电动MPV实拍" (in Simplified Chinese). EV Partner. 2017-08-10. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  20. ^ "开沃首款MPV谍照曝光 续航里程达350公里" (in Simplified Chinese). EV Partner. 2017-08-01. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  21. ^ "开沃收购长安金牛星进军电动物流 微面升级出现新路径" (in Simplified Chinese). CNEV. 2018-01-26. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  22. ^ a b c d "开沃汽车亮相全国节能宣传周暨南京市节能减碳宣传月活动启动仪式" (in Simplified Chinese). Truck 998. 2019-06-18. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  23. ^ a b c "Nanjing Golden Dragon Skywell Electric Light Bus Enters Hong Kong". China Buses. 2016-08-03. Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  24. ^ a b "南京金龍D11電動商用車250km超高續航力" (in Traditional Chinese). Oriental Daily News. 2016-03-16. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  25. ^ a b c d "49 Units Skywell Electric Buses Start Operation in Bangkok". China Buses. 2018-11-01. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18.
  26. ^ a b Hanna Yanchuk (2017-09-17). "Meanwhile in China, the electric mobility revolution is in full swing". The Beam. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  27. ^ Nanjing Golden Dragon Co. (2021-05-14). "Model:NJL6129EV" (in Chinese).
  28. ^ Nanjing Golden Dragon Co. (2021-05-14). "Model:NJL6859EV" (in Chinese).
  29. ^ a b "8,700 Buses Made by Nanjing Golden Dragon Gained Number Plates in 2015". China Buses. Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  30. ^ "Grants". San Diego State University. Archived from the original on 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
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