Joint Car Production: Chinese automaker debuts car assembled in South Africa

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First car off the new production line with features South African drivers love.

DU RONG, DEPUTY MANAGER BAIC INTERNATONAL "Many South Africans test the bluetooth, and play the music very loudly. That's usually the first car feature they try out. They tend not to like the sunroof or moon roof windows, maybe for security concerns."

This is Beijing Automotive Industry Cooperation's first overseas factory. It's in Port Elizabeth, home to South Africa's motor vehicle industry, where over 60 percent of Africa's cars are produced. The joint venture's chief financial officer is introduced by the co-investor, IDC funding, under South African government.

MS. BATANDWA, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BAIC SOUTH AFRICA "My hope for this factory is that development will thrive, especially for the African market. Job creation, component suppliers; hopefully it will drive the local economy and have a ripple effect on other industries."

WU GUOXIU PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA "This factory plans to buy about 30 percent of such a car from local suppliers, including the bumper and the rearview mirrors, as the factory expands, that figure could be one day as high as over 60 percent, driving development of relevant industries here. "

Just over a year since construction of the factory began, over 90 percent of its workers are South African citizens. One of them says he can handle the Chinese speed well.

BRIAN, LOGISTICS TEAM LEADER BAIC SOUTH AFRICA "What I like about them is the respect I get. When they first recruited me, they trained me, so that I would know BAIC products well. They work at a fast pace, but I'm alright with that."

The factory, just one of several ventures that China invested in South Africa, has many international competitors in Port Elizabeth. But experts say it has its own market.

MS. BATANDWA, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BAIC SOUTH AFRICA (Reporter: Do you think South Africans will really buy them?) "Yeah, I think they will. Most of our vehicles are entry level cars, for young people to get to school, for new workers to get for a first job, et cetera."

Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.