Holden has confirmed its long-awaited export programme to China with plans to introduce the Buick Royaum based on Holden's renowned Statesman and Caprice luxury cars.

The agreement means cars designed and engineered by Holden will be on the roads of the world's biggest consumer market from early next year.

China will become Holden's sixth export programme in the Asia-Pacific region joining South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and New Zealand.

Officials from Shanghai General Motors Co. Ltd. have unveiled the Buick Royaum in a gala ceremony in Beijing. Shanghai General Motors is a joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC).

The Holden cars' reputation among the world's largest luxury sedans will be leveraged in Buick's campaign directed at rear seat passengers such as Chinese government officials and business elites.

The Buick brand was chosen by GM China because it represents the most popular GM brand in the Chinese market. The word Royaum is based on a French word which reflects the Chinese words 'Rong', meaning sense of duty, and 'Yu', representing high social position and authority.

The Holden programme brings together four years of strategic research and discussion with Chinese automotive executives, including a range of product clinics in 2000 and detailed customer focus groups earlier this year.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, said he believed the Buick luxury cars would strike a chord in a market in which rear seat passengers, rather than the drivers, were the target audience.

"The Statesman and Caprice have a deserved reputation in Australia and the Middle East as the benchmark sedans for executives spending their time in the back of the car," Mr Mooney said.

"Royaum will offer that same space and comfort to Chinese executives in a package which will be extremely competitive. Exterior design, spacious interior and comfort, engine performance and rear-wheel-drive will be among key features targeted for the market.

"We have been involved in discussions with the Chinese for a number of years and are honoured to be able to reach agreement to assist the Buick brand in China.

"Holden's Chinese programme will add to the diversity of our exports and maximise flexibility to manage changes in demands in various markets.

"Holden has a responsibility within GM to ensure that specific market needs and quality expectations are met and programmes such as the Buick Royaum reinforce that responsibility."

Shanghai GM Executive Vice President, Chris Gubbey, said Royaum would further enhance the brand image of Buick in the Chinese marketplace.

"Royaum's grand body and classic symmetric partitions will relate well to Chinese government officials and business leaders who value respect. It breaks fresh ground by offering an ideal executive-level luxury sedan to Chinese elites," Mr Gubbey said.

"It fully meets their requirements for a quality ride as they spend more time commuting, conducting business and just relaxing in their vehicles.

"This launch again proves the advantages in Shanghai GM in leveraging and integrating GM resources for the Chinese market and meeting local demands from an international array of choices."

The Buick Royaum will initially offer Holden's advanced new Alloytec 3.6L V6 engine, consistent with the Australian market offering, as well as a 2.8L version also being prepared for Holden's long wheelbase export programme to Korea in early 2005. The vehicle has undergone local testing to ensure it is most suitable for local road conditions and complies with Chinese regulations.

Royaum will initially be available in March in more than 20 Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen then progressively introduced nationally through more than 250 Buick dealers. GM has not released sales forecasts.

China is now the world's third largest car market at 4.6 million units in 2003, behind only the United States and Japan. China overtook Germany in 2003 and has experienced an average annual growth of 21.8 percent in the five years to 2003.

The Royaum launch date was strategically selected by Shanghai GM because it represents the sixth anniversary since Buick production in China commenced at Shanghai GM's Jinqiao plant.

Holden Statesman and Caprice were the top selling Australian-built prestige and luxury cars in 2003 with 4363 and 1061 units respectively. Four long wheelbase variants sold as the Chevrolet Caprice in the Middle East achieved 2003 sales of 10,924.