China Automotive Systems
A Chinese automotive supplier specializing in power-steering systems, steering components, and related technologies, listed on NASDAQ.
Last updated October 13, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a Chinese automotive-components company focused on steering systems and related parts. Established in 1993 and headquartered in Jingzhou, Hubei, the company operates primarily through Sino-foreign joint ventures in China and a wholly owned subsidiary in the United States. Its business is centered on supplying original-equipment manufacturers and other vehicle producers with power-steering systems and components rather than selling finished vehicles under a consumer-facing automobile brand. The company's product scope includes several series of power-steering systems, steering columns, steering oil pumps, and steering hoses. Its engineering activities have also extended toward electronically controlled power steering. China Automotive Systems partnered with Tsinghua University to create the Tsinghua Henglong Automobile Steering Research Institute, intended to support the development and testing of electronic-control steering technologies. This research orientation reflects the wider movement in the automotive industry from conventional hydraulic assistance toward electronically controlled and electrically assisted steering architectures. The company has maintained business relationships with more than 60 vehicle manufacturers and automotive groups in China and abroad. Publicly identified customers and business relationships have included FAW Group, Dongfeng Group, Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei, Chery Automobile, Xi'an BYD Automobile, and Zhejiang Geely. These relationships place the company within China's original-equipment automotive supply chain, where component suppliers typically support vehicle manufacturers through production programs, engineering cooperation, and localized manufacturing. China Automotive Systems expanded its ownership of Henglong Automotive Parts Company during the late 2000s. At the end of 2008, it acquired an additional 36.5% interest after previously holding 44.5%, bringing its equity ownership to 80%. Henglong manufactured power-steering systems and components for China's growing passenger-vehicle market, making the transaction an important step in consolidating the group's control over a core operating business. The company became publicly traded on NASDAQ in 2004. Its historical growth benefited from the expansion of China's automobile market following the country's entry into the World Trade Organization. For 2010, reported net sales were $345.9 million, compared with $255.6 million in 2009; gross profit was $80.3 million versus $60.9 million; and operating income was $54.0 million versus $34.2 million. These figures are historical results for the year ended December 31, 2010, not current financial guidance or valuation data. China Automotive Systems has been recognized within the automotive-supplier sector, including selection in 2010 as one of six recipients from more than 700 candidates for Chery's Annual Best Parts Supplier award. The company is also listed in the International Directory of Company Histories. Its overall positioning is that of a specialized steering-system supplier serving Chinese and international vehicle manufacturers, with capabilities spanning production, component manufacturing, and steering-technology development.
History
China Automotive Systems was established in 1993 in China and developed as a manufacturer and supplier of automotive steering systems and components. Rather than operating as a vehicle marque, it built its business around supplying vehicle manufacturers and participating in the automotive original-equipment supply chain. Its principal activities have been conducted through a network of Sino-foreign joint ventures in China and a wholly owned subsidiary in the United States. The company's development coincided with the rapid expansion of China's automobile industry, particularly after China's entry into the World Trade Organization. As domestic vehicle production and passenger-car demand increased, China Automotive Systems expanded its manufacturing and customer relationships. The company has been associated with more than 60 vehicle manufacturers and automotive groups, including FAW Group, Dongfeng Group, Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei, Chery Automobile, Xi'an BYD Automobile, and Zhejiang Geely. A significant ownership step occurred in 2008, when China Automotive Systems acquired another 36.5% of Henglong Automotive Parts Company. It had previously owned 44.5% of Henglong, so the transaction raised its equity interest to 80%. Henglong's activities included the manufacture of power-steering systems and components for China's passenger-vehicle market. The transaction strengthened China Automotive Systems' control over a key operating business and supported its expansion in a growing domestic market. China Automotive Systems became listed on NASDAQ in 2004. The listing provided the company with access to the U.S. public capital market while its manufacturing and customer base remained substantially connected to China. The company has subsequently been described as one of China's larger suppliers of power-steering systems and components. Its manufacturing portfolio has included four separate series of power steering, as well as steering columns, steering oil pumps, and steering hoses. The company has also pursued technical development in electronically controlled steering. In cooperation with Tsinghua University, it established the Tsinghua Henglong Automobile Steering Research Institute to develop and test electronic-control power-steering systems. This work linked the company to the industry's transition toward more electronically managed steering technologies. The business received supplier recognition from Chery in 2010, when it was selected as one of six Annual Best Parts Supplier honorees from more than 700 contestants. Financial information reported for 2010 showed net sales of $345.9 million, up from $255.6 million in 2009, while operating income rose to $54.0 million from $34.2 million. The company is also included in the International Directory of Company Histories. Available reference material does not identify a founder, current executives, or a controlling parent company.
- 2010
Chery supplier recognition
[1]The company was named one of six recipients of Chery's 2010 Annual Best Parts Supplier award.
- 2008
Henglong ownership increased to 80%
[1]The company acquired an additional 36.5% of Henglong Automotive Parts Company, taking its ownership from 44.5% to 80%.
- 2004
NASDAQ listing
[1]China Automotive Systems became listed on NASDAQ under the ticker CAAS.
- 1993
Company founded
[1]China Automotive Systems was established in China as an automotive steering-system and component manufacturer.
Products and positioning
A specialized automotive steering-system and component supplier serving original-equipment vehicle manufacturers in China and selected international markets.
Automotive steering systems
Power-steering systems
The company's core product area consists of multiple series of power-steering systems supplied to vehicle manufacturers. These systems provide steering assistance and are manufactured for automotive production programs in China and other served markets. Reference material describes four separate power-steering series and an annual production capacity exceeding 3.5 million sets.
Advanced steering technology
Electronic-controlled power steering
China Automotive Systems has conducted research and testing on electronically controlled power-steering systems through a research institute established with Tsinghua University. The work represents the company's participation in the shift toward electronically managed steering assistance, although the available reference material does not specify a complete commercial product range or launch date.
Steering components
Steering columns
Steering columns are among the company's identified product lines. They form part of the mechanical and structural connection between a vehicle's steering controls and steering mechanism and are supplied as automotive components rather than as consumer aftermarket products.
Hydraulic steering components
Steering oil pumps
The company manufactures steering oil pumps used in hydraulic power-steering systems. The pumps are included in its broader portfolio of steering components supplied to vehicle manufacturers and related automotive businesses.
Steering components
Steering hoses
Steering hoses are another listed product category. They support hydraulic steering-system connections and complement the company's power-steering assemblies, pumps, and other steering hardware.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2008
Increase ownership of Henglong Automotive PartsM&ABackground
Henglong manufactured power-steering systems and components for China's expanding passenger-vehicle market. China Automotive Systems already held 44.5% of the company.
Action taken
China Automotive Systems acquired an additional 36.5% interest, bringing its total ownership to 80%.
Aftermath
The transaction gave China Automotive Systems majority control of Henglong and strengthened its position in a core steering-components operation.
- Develop electronically controlled steering technologyStrategy
Background
The automotive steering market was moving toward electronically controlled systems, creating a need for research and testing beyond conventional hydraulic steering products.
Action taken
The company partnered with Tsinghua University to establish the Tsinghua Henglong Automobile Steering Research Institute.
Aftermath
The partnership expanded the company's documented engineering and testing activities in electronic-control steering, although available material does not quantify commercial results.
Recent events
Henglong receives ISO 26262 ASIL-D certification[5]
Reported:
China Automotive Systems announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Hubei Henglong Automotive Systems Group, received SGS TÜV ISO 26262:2018 ASIL-D certification.
Sources5 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/china-automotive-systems · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled