August 14, 2007:
China is
buying 2,100 locally built SUVs, the BJ2022JC, for military use. The vehicle,
which looks like a slightly smaller version of the U.S. humvee, is built by the
Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automobile Co. It's a three year old joint venture
with the German firm, and the BJ2022JC is adapted from existing Mercedes Benz
designs. The BJ2022JC has a carrying capacity of .7 ton, and a smaller wheel
base (110 inches), compared to the humvee (184 inches.) The BJ2022JC will
replace an older design, the BJ2020, which was based on a Russian GAZ69 jeep.
China's basic BJ2020 design has been continually improved over the years. In
the 1990s, many engineering improvements were made by using technology borrowed
(via a joint manufacturing deal) from the American Jeep Cherokee. Chinese jeeps
have also been popular with the civilian market, and China hopes to export more
of these rugged vehicles to other countries where roads, and cash, are in short
supply.