Great expectations for China's independent carmaker Great Wall
Wang Jiangwei, the head of China's largest and most profitable SUV maker, employs military discipline to take on global industry rivals
Wang Jiangwei recalls spending last summer sweating through a month of military drills conducted by People's Liberation Army instructors.
His employer is so profitable it generates a fatter margin than any listed carmaker in the world. Behind the success is chairman Wei Jianjun, who has built China's biggest SUV maker with a leadership style that stands out for its emphasis on discipline and frugality.
"The military training is pretty serious and tough," Wang said. "Not only new hires but people who get promoted, even those becoming department heads, need to redo training."
In Baoding, Great Wall makes recruits endure foot drills and push-ups. The idea is for them to build endurance and understand the corporate culture, the company says on its website.
Great Wall represents a rare breed of Chinese carmaker that is independent of foreign partners and government, sparing it from having to split profits and endure extra bureaucracy. With the stock surging more than sixtyfold since its 2008 low, Wei has become Asia's wealthiest car executive, with an estimated fortune of US$6.5 billion as he strives to create China's first global car brand.