Ipsos Buys, Aims to Lead China Auto Research

Ipsos has acquired China's largest automotive research specialist, Shanghai-based B-Thinking, in a fifty-fifty cash and shares deal for an undisclosed sum. The business will be integrated into Ipsos' existing business in China.

Lifeng Liu, President of Ipsos in China, says the objective is 'to make Ipsos the leading research supplier for the automotive sector in China.'

B-Thinking was established in 2003 by Mr Jiang Qi, its majority shareholder and General Manager, who comments: 'We are delighted to join Ipsos - a distinguished global research company. I am confident that by combining our strong experience and expertise in the automotive industry, and Ipsos' research capability in China, we will provide a stronger service to our clients.' B-Thinking, whose 2007 revenue was 35 million RMB (Euros 3.2m), employs 110 full-time staff and services the main foreign car manufacturers operating in China as well as trade organisations.

Liu points to the great potential of the automotive research sector in China: nearly 9 million vehicles were sold in 2007, up 22% year-on-year, and the China Automotive Association says the country should pass the USA to become the world's largest automotive market in 2010. Revenue for research in the sector was 400 million RMB (Euros 36 million) in 2007, up 30% over 2006, and is expected to grow twofold between now now and 2010.

Founded in Paris in 1975, Ipsos has been publicly traded since 1999, and in 2007 generated global revenues of Euros 927.2m ($1.27 billion USD). Web site: www.ipsos.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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