Golden Dragon produces 8 series of vans and coaches, ranging from 4 to 12 meters in length and seating from 5 to 55 passengers.

In its 10 years of existence, Golden Dragon has won a number of awards for engineering quality, and for tax or business credit contributions. In 2003, Golden Dragon was awarded its "China Compulsory Certificate", and has won such awards as the "BAAV Year 2002 World's Most Environmentally Friendly Coach" and the "BAAV Year 2002 World's Best Tourist Coach" at Busworld Asia in Shanghai.

The company's sales revenues in 2003 came to USD400million. It led the country with an average annual growth of 50% over the previous five years, and in overall competitive terms Golden Dragon ranked second in China in 2002.

Production Centres

The Xiamen Golden Dragon Van Company has four production lines, covering pressing, welding, painting and assembly, which are at the technological forefront in China, using production equipment, mainly imported from the US, Germany and Japan, resulting in a product quality in the lead ahead of its domestic rivals. It currently enjoys close partnerships with such international giants of the sector as Toyota, Nissan and Cummins. Golden Dragon has three centres, for the production of large coaches and buses, midi-buses, and minibuses and light vans.

The light van production centre, set up in 1992, is located in the Huli District. With its state-of-the-art equipment, sound logistics environment, and scientific layout, the centre leads the domestic competition in terms of technology, automation and quality of product.

It has an annual output capacity of 30 thousand vehicles in its main ranges: the XML6480 Sealion range, and the XML6600 and XML6700 ranges; and the Latten XML6720 series. The XML6700 has been received particularly well across the nation, and was chosen in 2001 to be the official vehicle for the Beijing Olympic Games Bidding Committee.

In 1994, the production centre won the first prize of the China Automobile Technology Research Institute for its scientific and technological achievements.

The midi-bus production centre has a total annual production of 6,000 vehicles of the XML6792 Mei-er-fa, XML6800 Flying Dragon range, and the XML6843 ranges. These are new generation, luxury, medium-sized vehicles aimed at the middle and short-distance passenger bus, and tourist coach markets.

The full-size bus production centre, the Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. Ltd, is located in the Haicang Industrial Zone. The centre was built with a total investment of 280 million yuan on a site of 14 hectares, with 60,000 square meter of workshop space. The workshop is organised following international practice with the chassis assembly, body-work welding, paint-shop and internal fitting sections arranged in a U-shape forming a complete production chain.

The principle ranges produced here include the XML6935 Pioneer, XML6108 Sapphire, XML6118 Jinlu 118, and the XML6129 Challenger ranges of coaches, the XML6120 Sleeper Bus range and City Bus ranges. The centre builds 3,000 vehicles annually, with a value of 1.8 billion RMB, and has become a new economic growth point for the Xiamen Golden Dragon Van Co. Ltd.

Research & Development

Golden Dragon operates on a basis of the continuous pursuit of technological innovation, and employs the most up-to-date technology to create a comfortable and enjoyable working environment to match its human-centred management approach. Golden Dragon has not only introduced advanced technology from overseas but works to improve technology developed in-house to make substantial progress in the areas of design, production technology and equipment. The company is currently capable of developing over 10 new types of vehicle annually.

In 1999, Golden Dragon invested heavily in an Automobile Research Institute, creating a comprehensive development system, covering the design stage, production techniques and technology, and quality control. The Institute was rated by the Municipal Economic Development Commission as a municipal-level technology centre.

The extensive use of a CAD system developed in-house has cut the time required for the development of new products considerably, and led to a higher level of scientific and technological input to Golden Dragon's products. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Chinese belief that "men and nature are one" is fully exemplified by the Xiamen Golden Dragon Van Company.

Quality control

The Golden Dragon Van Product Inspection Line was designed by the State Motor Technology Research Centre to meet all national standards, with the necessary equipment imported from Germany, the UK and the USA. The inspection process is automated, with the data collected being displayed on monitors on the computer network. To ensure that it meets the rigorous quality standards, every vehicle goes through a range of inspections and tests including a spray test and a 200 km road test.

Business and marketing

Competition on the market is nothing less than competition between different brands, and fundamentally, the goal of any enterprise is to establish a reputable brand-name. Golden Dragon works on the principle that quality is more important than quantity, and moderate scale of production and sustained development based on a pyramidal pattern of production, enhancement and R&D. On that basis, the Xiamen Golden Dragon Van Co. Ltd has developed and produced successive new ranges of vehicles to meet the requirements of different and changing markets.

In this age of awareness of the need for post-manufacturing provision, the quality of after-sales services provided by auto manufacturers plays an equal role with the brand-name in expanding market share. Volkswagen has the adage, "Only the first batch of cars are sold by sales people, the rest are sold by service people". Given that after-sales services are at the core of competitiveness, Golden Dragon has upgraded its sales network on a continuous basis. The company has set up marketing branches in the major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Xi'an, has established more than 150 sales outlets across the nation, and has opened 6 spare parts supply centres, in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Changchun, Xi'an and Zhengzhou. Golden Dragon has over 150 franchised repair and maintenance shops nationwide capable of providing complete pre-sales, in-sales and after-sales services.

Creating a brand-name and first class products

The success of Golden Dragon has been based on the principles of "Creating a brand-name and first class products, and providing excellent services through scientific management".

In this 21st century, China's entry into the WTO can be seen either as an opportunity for, or as a great challenge to the Chinese coach-building industry. The Xiamen Golden Dragon Van Company is ready to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities. Through its close co-operation with international motor giants, and its introduction of overseas capital and advanced technology, the Xiamen Golden Dragon Van Company is destined to become a world-leading multi-national group company with characteristics both Chinese and yet individual.