Rockwell Joins With Chinese Company to Make Truck, Bus Axles

Rockwell International Corp.’s heavy-vehicle systems unit said it has formed a joint venture with China National Heavy Truck Corp. to produce truck and bus axles.

The 50-50 joint venture (Jinan Rockwell Axle Co.) will begin operations Jan. 1 in Jinan, Shandong province. Rockwell didn’t disclose terms of the agreement.

The venture will make single-drive and tandem axles, assembled with brakes, hubs and drums, as well as front and rear assembled axles for some Yellow River and Steyr truck models.

China’s Automotive Industry Bureau nominated Jinan Rockwell as primary supplier of single-reduction bus axles to the Chinese market, the company said.