CHONGQING/GUANGZHOU -- A reshuffle of top officials has prompted speculation that China may engineer a merger among a trio of major state-owned automakers, creating a single giant with the scale to lead the industry's global transition.
Xu Liuping -- chairman of defense company China South Industries Group, which has China Changan Automobile Industry (Group) under its umbrella -- becomes chairman of FAW Group in a move announced Wednesday. He switches roles with Xu Ping, who will also lead Changan, of which Chongqing Changan Automobile is a core group member.
