3M Raises Environmental Problems in China's After-Market Service Sector

SHANGHAI - October 30, 2007:

China has given close attention to environmental problems in connection with automobile production and use, but ignored those in after-sales service sector, said head of 3M China yesterday at the sidelines of 5th Annual China Automotive Industry Forum in Shanghai.

"We've paid a fair amount of attention to the environment problems involved in automobile manufacturing and consuming, and environmental laws and regulations have been made in those areas, but the aftermarket sector has long been ignored, " said Kenneth Yu, managing director of 3M China, citing the reckless discharge of waste water and oil in car maintenance stores in China everyday.

"The situation has been like this for years, but no action has been taken to address these problems,” he added.

Yu defined energy saving, environment protection, cost saving, new technology and instant service as major challenges that multinational component manufacturers in China have to confront. 3M, a world leader in a wide range of automotive technologies, supplies glass adhesives, sealants, paint, window film and accessories to most dealerships and professional car maintenance stores.

Headquartered in Minnesota, the United States, 3M set up its first China representative office in Shanghai in 1984 and the company now has offices in the vicinity of almost every major automotive OEM in China. 3M China has about one fifth of its sales revenue coming from the auto industry.

For more information about the burgeoning auto industry in China please visit http://www.gasgoo.com/Autobiz/list/7/China-News.html