Dongfeng Hits on Holden

Chinese companies are everywhere. No matter what we are talking about, there's a little Chinese in everything. How exactly they managed to do this, it's still a mystery but Chinese automakers are slowly becoming increasingly important players of the global auto sectors. After many reports hinted that BAIC, Geely and friends are looking to buy European brands, it appears that Dongfeng, China's third-largest automaker, stepped into GM's supermarket searching for Holden.

Unfortunately for the Chinese, it seems like Holden is unavailable for the time being or, at least, this is what officials of the Australian manufacturer are claiming.

According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the vice-president of Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Li Shaozhu, already hinted that his company might be interested in Holden but avoided to provide too many details on the matter.

"We are paying close attention to the impact the financial crisis has had on the international automotive industry and we’re keen about utilising such resources," he was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source.

Holden hasn't released an official statement for the time but media sources are reporting that several officials close to the company denied negotiations.

Industry Minister, Kim Carr, also denied reports, emphasizing that Australian units belonging to three of world's largest automakers are not for sale at this point.

“The Australian subsidiaries of Ford, General Motors and Toyota are not for sale. General Motors Holden has had no contact with Dongfeng, the assets are not for sale, and there has been no change to that position,” he told The Age.